A holidaymaker's visit to the tranquil Norfolk Broads ended in sorrow when Callum Bell, 58, met his untimely demise after plunging into the waters of the River Bure, as recounted in court. The incident unfolded while Mr. Bell, who had ventured to Norfolk from his residence in Skegness, was aboard a cruiser.
The inquiry, held at Norfolk Coroner's Court, began with area coroner Samantha Goward reading out the distressing particulars of the case. Born in Nottingham, Mr. Bell was enjoying a family holiday in the region, a trip meant for relaxation that turned tragic.
At approximately 9:15 pm, near North River Road in Great Yarmouth, the unfortunate event transpired. Mrs. Goward remarked, "Mr. Bell was in the process of boarding the vessel when he tragically toppled into the river." The pathologist determined the medical cause of death as "submersion in water."
Following the misfortune, Mr. Bell’s partner, Diane Simmonds, voiced her concerns to the media. She pointed out a potential oversight regarding safety features on the hire boat, which lacked protective barriers to prevent such falls. She lamented, “There were no safety rails at the boat’s stern, which served as the sole point of ingress and egress. Callum tripped on the step, with nothing to steady him, and subsequently rolled into the river. Had there been a safety barrier, it would have averted his fall.”
The vessel in question, a 44-foot cruiser, had been leased from the vacation company Barnes Brinkcraft. Daniel Thwaites, the company’s director, extended his condolences in August, stating, “As one would expect, our thoughts are entirely with Mr. Bell's loved ones. We currently possess no additional details surrounding the incident and are, therefore, unable to provide further comment at this juncture."
A comprehensive inquest into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Bell’s passing is slated to take place on February 28 of next year, lasting a full day.