Dorset: Man's coasteering death was misadventure, jury says

Iain Farrell was a "caring, loving" father, the inquest heard

A father who drowned on a commercially-run coasteering trip after a large wave knocked him off a ledge into the sea died as a result of misadventure, an inquest jury has concluded.

Iain Farrell, 49, from Buckinghamshire, died near Swanage, Dorset, in May 2019.

Eight other participants, including his two sons, were rescued by a lifeboat.

Activity firm Land & Wave, whose safety plans for the excursion were examined in court, said its thoughts were with Mr Farrell's family.

Coasteering involves climbing and swimming on a rocky coastline (generic image)

The "caring, loving" father, who was separated from his wife, took the boys on the swimming and scrambling adventure at Hedbury Quarry on 26 May, the court heard.

Mr Farrell, who had told the group's sole instructor that he was not a strong swimmer, soon became breathless in the water, the inquest heard.

The guide, Charles Ridley, towed him to a ledge but a large wave swept Mr Farrell back into the sea, the jury was told.

The trip was organised by adventure activity firm Land & Wave

The instructor dived back in to recover him and began CPR but Mr Farrell never regained consciousness.

The other swimmers, including two children aged 10 and 12, were left drifting in high waves for more than 45 minutes before being rescued, the inquest was told.

In its narrative conclusion, the jury said: "Ian Farrell died as a consequence of misadventure.

"He inhaled sea water after becoming breathless during a swim. After he was recovered to a ledge, a large wave swept him back in. This occurred in a challenging sea state."

Former Land & Wave director David Mutton gave evidence at the hearing

During the hearing, former Land & Wave director David Mutton was questioned by the coroner about safety procedures.

He said it was not necessary for guides to ask participants about their sea swimming confidence, to carry a VHF radio or to work with an assistant.

Mr Farrell's brother Matthew said the father-of-two was arguably exposed to "serious errors of judgement".

In a statement after the inquest, he said: "I'm certain Iain's survival would have been guaranteed if he had been prevented from coasteering by that company or instructor that day."

In a statement, Land & Wave said: "It must have been an impossibly long four years for Iain's loved ones, waiting to hear the full facts of the events of that day from all perspectives.

"We can only imagine what the past 12 days must have been like for them. Land & Wave have been present throughout the inquest to assist the coroner and our thoughts remain with Iain's family and friends."

Dorset coroner Brendan Allen said: "I am sure that you will want to recognise the incredible bravery of coasteering instructors, the RNLI and coastguards and others. It must have been a terrifying experience."

He said he would be writing a Prevention of Future Deaths Report.

Mr Farrell, from Dorney, was described by his wife Amanda as a "kind, caring, loving" husband and father.