Accidental Death of David Cubberley on Norfolk Broads

[NBF]

David Cubberley, a highly intelligent but misunderstood man whose disappearance triggered a major search operation on the Norfolk Broads, likely died by accident, an inquest has concluded.

Reported missing in February, Cubberley's body was found almost two weeks later in the water at Hickling. He was 65.

Cubberley's disappearance initiated an extensive search of the Broads area, involving rescue boats, drones, and helicopters after concerns for his safety were reported on February 17.

However, it was not until February 28 that an Environment Agency worker discovered Mr Cubberley's body in Candle Dyke near Hickling.

The inquest into his death, held in Norwich on Thursday, sought to unravel the mystery surrounding the tragedy.

Area coroner Samantha Goward concluded that his death was most likely accidental. The court heard that Mr. Cubberley had been living alone on his Weston 670 cruiser, named Fun 4 Us 2, in the months preceding his death, following the sudden passing of his partner of 40 years, Felicity Rowe, in September 2022.

Before Ms. Rowe's death from a fall down a flight of stairs, the couple lived together in Brownshill in Cromer. A year later, facing eviction from their home, Mr. Cubberley purchased the boat and decided to live on it with their pet dog, Ursa, who he later renamed Sprout.

The court heard conflicting evidence about the circumstances leading to his death. Mr Cubberley frequently moored his boat near Potter Heigham or Hickling and regularly walked the surrounding areas with his dog.

A report from Norfolk Constabulary, detailing the search efforts, revealed conflicting accounts of what might have happened. Mr Cubberley was formally reported missing on February 17 after friends grew concerned for his welfare. Following public appeals for information, police received two separate reports of hearing a shout for help on the evening of February 15, though neither was reported to emergency services at the time.

Additionally, police received a separate report of a sighting of Mr. Cubberley on February 16.

Mrs. Goward noted that the reports of calls for help might have been coincidental.

"There are some inconsistencies with the evidence, and it is not clear whether the shouts were from Mr. Cubberley or not. It is impossible to say if that was when he entered the water or if it was a coincidence," she said. "Mr. Cubberley led an unusual lifestyle but was clearly a lovely, friendly man who was doing what he wanted to do. It is impossible to know when he went into the water, but it very much sounds to me like this was a tragic accident and he made efforts to try and float."

Catherine Metcalf, a close friend of Mr Cubberley's partner, attended the inquest and paid tribute to him afterwards.

"David was a highly intelligent, lovely man, who loved his wife very much and was devastated when she passed away," she said. "They both found it difficult to live in normal structures and routines—they ate and slept when they wanted to, and for this reason, they were misunderstood by people around them. David had significant trauma in his life, but for the months he was living on his boat, he was happy and had found bliss in being so close to nature. He needed his alternative lifestyle to manage."