Coroner calls for tighter regulation on cold water therapy industry

Kellie Poole fell into a river after complaining of a headache

A coroner has voiced concerns over the lack of regulation and safety checks for cold water therapy sessions after the death of a woman in Derbyshire.

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

An inquest into her death found an undiagnosed heart condition and immersion in cold water had "likely" led to a cardiac arrest.

The running of the session had not contributed to her death, it concluded.

Following the inquest, senior coroner for Derby and Derbyshire Peter Nieto has sent a prevention of future deaths report to the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Mr Nieto said his concerns did not relate specifically to the death of Ms Poole, but the lack of safety advice and regulation that surrounds the cold water therapy industry, which seems to have "very little oversight".

"I am not aware of the issuing of specific health and safety guidance," he said.

"On my understanding, the current limits of oversight of cold water immersion providers in effect means that these activities have not received guidance from the Health and Safety Executive or other appropriate bodies."

Mr Nieto added local authority environmental health departments were also "unclear" on how they might monitor and oversee cold water therapy businesses.

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

The inquest, at Chesterfield Coroner's Court, heard mother-of-three Ms Poole, from Droylsden in Tameside, Greater Manchester, had joined the session having never previously complained of health problems.

She said she had a headache after entering the water before falling forward, with attempts made to revive her after she was pulled from the water.

The water temperature on the day of her death was recorded as 10.7C (51.3F).

A spokesperson for the HSE said: "Our thoughts remain with the family and friends of Kellie Poole.

"We are aware of the letter from the coroner, which was received last week, and will review the concerns raised and respond in due course."