Student died trying to save lives, inquest hears

Jack's body was found washed up on rocks near Crackington Haven

A "heroic" student died trying to save three young women from a rip tide in Cornwall, an inquest has heard.

Jack Lees, from Holsworthy in Devon and a University of Bristol student, swam 150m (500ft) out with a male friend to help the three fellow students, while they were all on a four-day trip to Bude in June 2024, his mother Dr Dawn Lees told the hearing.

Two of the women managed to get back to shore, but Mr Lees went to help the third, who was struggling in an outgoing tide, Dr Lees said.

Assistant Cornwall coroner Emma Hillson recorded a conclusion of misadventure.

The students were all part of a university wild swimming club.

Dr Lees said she was haunted that her son would have been frightened at what was happening to him, adding: "They should not have gone out there."

She added: "Jack would do anything for anyone. He was a gentleman in his life and in his death.

"Jack would have run towards danger."

'A preventable death'

Det Sgt Tom McIntyre, of Devon and Cornwall Police, said: "Jack entered the water heroically to try to save others in trouble in the water.

"In his effort, unfortunately, he got into trouble himself and did not manage to get out."

Mr Lee's body was found washed up on rocks near Crackington Haven 14 days after the incident, and eight days after what would have been his 21st birthday, the inquest was told.

Dr Lees said: "This was a preventable death. It cannot happen again."

Recording her conclusion, coroner Ms Hillson said Jack bravely went to help others in trouble in the sea.