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Henry Keith's death in the waters of Wroxham Broad on the Norfolk Broads last August when he was only 25, has finally been recorded officially as an accident by the coroner. An inquest into his death heard of the tragic incident in which a day out with friends and fun turned to grief.
Joyous Day Out Ends in Grief.
Mr Keith and Sebastian Cator had spent the day steeped in camaraderie. They drank liquor and listened to music on a yacht Mr. Cator's family owned. As the sun dipped lower and night fell, the evening took an irreversible turn.
At about 11.30 pm, Mr Keith, in a moment of joie de vivre, plunged into the dark waters of the Broad. Within minutes, scratching or tapping noises were heard coming from underneath the boat. Initially thinking that this was some kind of joke, Mr Cator soon realised the seriousness of the situation when Mr Keith did not resurface.
Distressing Search and Tearful Reflection.
Panicked, Mr Cator searched the waters for several agonising minutes before calling in the emergency services. A full-scale search operation was launched, closing all maritime activity on the Broad. The body of Mr Keith was recovered the next day; his blood alcohol level was more than twice the legal driving limit.
A Family and Community in Mourning.
Outside Norfolk Coroner's Court, Mr Keith's brother, Ed Keith, gave a tearful tribute to his brother, who was "brilliant" and "caring." He said, "The death of our beloved Henry has created an incomprehensible chasm not only in our family but also among the many friends who loved him. His remarkable talent for bringing happiness and creating unforgettable moments will be forever missed."
The Keith family warmly thanked everyone involved, including the volunteers from the Hemsby Lifeboat and Norfolk Lowland Search and Rescue who worked tirelessly during the search and recovery operations: "Their commitment was unquestionable," added Mr. Keith.
A Sobering Reminder of Water Safety.
This tragedy was one of four water-related deaths in Norfolk within four days last summer and showed how aquatic fun can have its darker side.