Kellie Poole: Call for regulation after cold water therapy death

Kellie Poole was pronounced dead at the scene despite the efforts of paramedics

A woman has called for cold water therapy to be regulated after an inquest heard her daughter suffered a "sudden cardiac death".

Kellie Poole, 39, died on 25 April 2022 after collapsing back into the River Goyt in Whaley Bridge, Derbyshire.

Expert Dr Damian Kelly, when asked if the cold water could have triggered cardiac arrest, said: "Yes, I think that is what has happened."

Ms Poole's mother, Diane Service, said regulation could save someone else.

"I can't believe that these activities are not regulated," she said. "I know it is nobody's fault, but I just can't believe it.

"It is a change that needs to come very soon. It is too late for Kellie, but not for someone else."

Ms Poole, from Droylsden in Tameside, Greater Manchester, had been attending the session with two friends.

She was also classed as "obese" on the body mass index (BMI), which could have contributed to her death, the inquest heard.

Kevin O'Neill, of Breatheolution, said he did not believe anything could have been done to save Ms Poole

Chesterfield Coroner's Court heard Dr Kelly, a consultant cardiologist, say the temperature of the water - recorded as just 10.7C (51.3F) - was "relevant".

When asked by senior coroner, Peter Nieto, whether he thought it was more likely than not cold water could have triggered a cardiac arrest, Dr Kelly said: "Yes, I think that is what has happened.

"It is difficult not to see it as relevant."

A post-mortem examination, carried out by consultant pathologist Dr Abed Zaitoun, recorded her cause of death as sudden cardiac death, caused by left ventricular hypertrophy, a thickening of the walls of the lower left heart chamber.

Giving his evidence, Dr Zaitoun said Ms Poole was obese and her heart was heavier than expected, which could have contributed to her death.

He said: "In my opinion, it is all related to the weight. The larger the weight of the body, the harder the heart has to work for that body.

"That in time increases the weight of the heart.

"[Cold water] might have had an effect on the cardiac function and might link to sudden death."

Dr Zaitoun said he could not be certain that cold water had caused the sudden cardiac event, as this would change based on temperature and how familiar a person was with being in cold water, but agreed it could have contributed.

Headache complaint

The immersion session was booked by Ms Poole's friend, Victoria Fielding, and was run by a company named Breatheolution, led by Kevin O'Neill.

Giving evidence, Ms Fielding said it was a "mild" day but that the group were "shivering" prior to entering the water due to being in bathing suits.

She said she did not recall being asked to sign a waiver form but was instead asked questions by Mr O'Neill, and she, Ms Poole and another friend completed around 15 minutes of breathing exercises prior to entering the water.

She said: "I booked it, I thought 'did we fill in a waiver form?', I knew that we hadn't.

"He [Mr O'Neill] went up to each of us individually and asked if we had any medical conditions."

Ms Fielding said Ms Poole was "enjoying" the session and "laughing and giggling", but later complained she had a headache in the front of her head.

She was advised to splash cold water on to her face by Mr O'Neill, who also scooped some water over the back of her head.

In her statement, Ms Fielding said Ms Poole then fell forward into the water, prompting Mr O'Neill to give CPR.

Risk advice

Giving evidence, Mr O'Neill said he did not have paper waiver forms at the time of Ms Poole's death, but equally was not expecting people to bring the forms with them.

He said he now had paper waiver forms for those who took part in his sessions but also called for regulation of the activity.

"There is not enough regulation, I wholeheartedly agree with that," he said.

"I have witnessed every reaction possible in the cold in the last three years and it does need regulating."

When asked by his solicitor, Jennifer Ferrario, whether he believed anything could have been done to save Ms Poole, Mr O'Neill said: "No, I don't think there is anything anybody could have done."

Pauline Forrester, who investigated the incident in her role as an environmental health officer for High Peak Borough Council, told the court she had found "no guidance" for cold water immersion.

She also said due to Mr O'Neill being a sole trader, while risk assessments did have to be completed, there was no legal requirement for written risk assessments.

"I think this is maybe something following this case, maybe you [the coroner] can make some recommendations that there is some guidance published about the risks," she said.

"There is nothing published by the Health and Safety Executive for these kinds of things."

The inquest continues.