Girl, 15, died after ‘swimming on full stomach' when she headed into water for final time with pal on family day out
Lucy Reed, 15, had tucked into a "substantial" lunch of pizza and chips while visiting Cleethorpes, Lincolnshire, on June 23, 2023.
2
The inquest heard she and a pal then entered the water shortly after eating but quickly found themselves drifting away from the shore.
After around 30 minutes, Lucy tried to swim to a point where she could stand but she vomited, inhaled the contents of her stomach and lost consciousness.
She was eventually rescued three hours after entering the water and was tragically declared dead in hospital.
A post mortem found Lucy died from asphyxia after inhaling gastric contents.
Ruling a verdict of misadventure, Greater Lincolnshire senior coroner Paul Smith highligted the dangers of eating a substational meal before swimming.
He said: "Lucy Alexandra Reed died on 24 June 2023 in the River Humber at Cleethorpes as a consequence of asphyxiation.
"She had travelled to the coast for a day trip. She ate a substantial lunch and shortly thereafter went into the shallow water.
"The tide was falling and they rapidly found themselves out of their depth and drifting away from the shore. Neither were strong swimmers.
"After she had been in the water for approximately 30 minutes as Lucy tried to swim towards a point at which she could stand, she vomited, inhaling her gastric contents and losing consciousness.
"Although her death was not formally confirmed for several hours, on balance of probability it occurred within minutes of the incident described above. It was the unintended consequence of her swimming on a full stomach."
Lucy's mum told the court how they had all taken a day trip to Cleethorpes and were due to leave via coach at 2.30pm.
After playing in the arcades, the group headed for lunch where the mum urged Lucy to let her food settle before going for a swim.
But the teen insisted she wanted to go in the water before boarding the coach home and went bathing with her pal while her mum went for a walk.
When Lucy failed to show up at their planned meeting point, her mum began searching the area before she was told to call police.
She rang 999 at 2.22pm and the Coastguard were alerted at 3.15pm.
Emergency crews spent more than three hours attempting to find Lucy before they eventually discovered her further out into the river than originally believed.
After the hearing, a spokesman for The Maritime and Coastguard Agency said: "Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragic events of 24 June 2023.
"Incoming tides don't just come in from out at sea – they can also sneak up behind you and cut off your exit route, leaving you stranded and in danger.
"By knowing when it's high and low tide, you can make sure you'll get back in plenty of time without putting yourself at risk."
2
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Independent
13 minutes ago
- The Independent
Ice cream man stabbed to death in north-west London named by police
An ice cream seller who was stabbed to death in north-west London has been named by the Metropolitan Police as 41-year-old Shazad Khan. Mr Khan was pronounced dead at the scene after officers responded to reports of an altercation in Monks Park in Wembley at 6.10pm on Tuesday. His family have been informed and a murder investigation was launched, the Met said. A 26-year-old man was arrested on suspicion of murder in the early hours of Wednesday, while a 31-year-old woman was also arrested at the scene for conspiracy to murder, the force said. Both individuals remain in custody. Local residents told the PA news agency that Mr Khan was well known in the area for selling ice creams in a van. Asim Mahmood Butt, 39, who lives in nearby Tokyngton Avenue, said he was childhood friends with the victim. Speaking at the scene, he said: 'I got a call from one of my cousins. 'This guy, we know him – he's a famous ice cream guy. He got stabbed yesterday. 'I came here and his body was still here, and police had cordoned off the area. 'We don't know the reason why, but all that we know is that a guy with a grey hoodie stabbed him eight times. That's what I've been told. 'I know his brothers as well – they're all local. We all used to play cricket and football here in Monks Park. 'He started (selling) ice cream about a year ago.' Mr Butt said the victim was married and had a young daughter. The victim's ice cream van, which had been parked on the road at the time of the incident, was well known locally for having a large teddy bear, the witness added. A second witness, who did not want to be named, said the ice cream van was towed away from the scene in the early hours of Wednesday morning. A blue forensics tent and a number of Met officers could be seen inside a police cordon in Monks Park on Wednesday afternoon. Removal vehicles also took away a separate white van and blue car. Detective Chief Superintendent Luke Williams, local policing commander for north-west London, said: 'Our thoughts remain with Shazad's family and friends at this unimaginably difficult time. 'This incident will rightly cause concern across the community, but intelligence at this stage leads us to believe there is no wider threat to the public. 'Detectives are conducting a thorough and fast-paced investigation, and locals can expect to see an uptick in police presence in the area. 'Anyone with any information – particularly dashcam or doorbell footage from the time of the incident – is urged to speak to us as a matter of urgency.'
Daily Mail
14 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Labour MSP is charged over indecent images: Colin Smyth suspended by party after arrest
The Scottish Labour MSP Colin Smyth has been arrested and charged with the possession of indecent images of children. The party has suspended the former modern studies teacher, who served as Scottish Labour's top official before entering Holyrood in 2016, and withdrawn the whip. Mr Smyth said he was in 'shock' and was cooperating with the authorities. A Police Scotland spokeswoman said: 'On Tuesday, 5 August, 2025, officers executed a warrant at a property in Dumfries. 'A 52-year-old man was arrested and charged in connection with possession of indecent images. He is due to appear at Dumfries Sheriff Court at a later date.' The married father-of-two is now sitting as an Independent MSP for South Scotland. In a statement, Mr Smyth said: 'These events have come as a shock and this is a deeply stressful time. 'I am obviously cooperating fully with any inquiries and hope the matter can be resolved quickly. 'I am not able to comment further at this stage, and in the meantime I would ask that my family and friends are given privacy.' A Scottish Labour spokesman said: 'The whip has been removed from Colin Smyth MSP, pending an investigation. 'We cannot comment further on this matter while the investigation is ongoing.' It is understood the MSP was 'administratively suspended' after the party became aware of the police investigation. Mr Smyth appeared in a video with Scottish Labour leader Anas Sarwar which was posted on social media two days after the arrest, but it has since been deleted. In the week after the arrest, Mr Smyth's own account on X continued to post pictures of him meeting people at the Dumfries & Lockerbie Agricultural Show held on August 2. On August 13, he held a meeting with the Scottish Pensioners' Forum, and on August 15 held a 'doorstep surgery' with a Dumfries Labour councillor about roads and bus services. Born in Dumfries, Mr Smyth was first elected for Labour as a Dumfries & Galloway councillor in 2007. He served as Scottish Labour general secretary from 2008 until 2012, and helped run its disastrous 2011 election campaign, when the SNP won an unprecedented majority. He was elected to Holyrood for the first time in 2016 as a list MSP for South Scotland. He backed Mr Sarwar in the 2021 Scottish Labour leadership race and was given a key role as the party's spokesman on the constitution as the SNP ramped up efforts to secure a second referendum and end the Union. Mr Smyth, whose family hails from Northern Ireland, stood unsuccessfully against the Tories in Dumfriesshire in 2021 election, but he returned to Holyrood via the regional list. In 2023, Mr Sarwar made him his champion for older people and he is currently piloting a member's Bill through Holyrood to establish a Commissioner for Older People. Mr Smyth was re-selected in April as Scottish Labour's candidate in Dumfriesshire for the 2026 Holyrood election. But his suspension means he is currently unable to stand for the party. Until this month, Mr Smyth was convener of Holyrood's economy and fair work committee and a substitute member of its public audit and standards committees. He is married with two daughters. A spokesman for the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service added: 'A standard prosecution report has been received by the Crown Office and Procurator Fiscal Service from Police Scotland in relation to a 52-year-old man.'
The Sun
14 minutes ago
- The Sun
Fury as Southport monster WINS BACK jail perks including TV after prison officer attack as bosses ‘bribe' him to behave
SOUTHPORT monster Axel Rudakubana has won back privileges including a TV and DVD player to encourage him to behave. The triple child killer, who hurled boiling water at a guard in May, has had his regime raised from 'basic' to 'standard'. 5 5 It means he gets more money to spend in the canteen plus time out of his cell. Rudakubana, 19, also has increased access to workshops, the library and gym at HMP Belmarsh, South East London. A source said: 'It is outrageous that they have raised him to standard. 'They are basically bribing him to behave — by saying we'll give you a telly and you can keep it if you don't attack anyone. 'It makes his life a lot more comfortable and also means he can spend more on phone credit. 'He will get a Freeview TV with about 25 channels and the DVD player, though his access to films will be limited. ' Rudakubana is cock-a-hoop about the change but I doubt the officer who had liquid chucked in his face will be.' Reform MP Richard Tice said: 'I'm appalled. 'It feels like he is being rewarded for bad behaviour. 'It's the opposite of what should be happening.' Met Police are still investigating May's scalding incident. Since then Rudakubana, serving 52 years, had been placed on a four-man unlock — meaning he was escorted by at least four officers in riot gear every time he left his cell. Inmates on basic regime get about £5.50 a week to spend. Those on standard have about £20 and can work up to enhanced level with even more privileges if they behave. A Prison Service spokesperson did not comment. 5 5 5 Timeline of events related to the Southport stabbings AXEL Rudakubana admitted the murders of Bebe King, Elsie Dot Stancombe and Alice Dasilva Aguiar, and 10 counts of attempted murder. Here is a timeline of events relating to the case: 2002: Rudakubana's father Alphonse moves to the UK from Rwanda, according to an interview he gave to his local newspaper in Southport in 2015. August 7, 2006: Rudakubana is born in Cardiff, Wales. 2013: The family - including Rudakubana's father, mother and older brother - move from Wales to Banks in Lancashire, a few miles from Southport. July 29, 2024: Shortly before midday, a knifeman enters a dance class at The Hart Space in Hart Street in Southport. Bebe, Elsie and Alice are fatally wounded. Eight other children are injured, as are instructor Leanne Lucas and businessman John Hayes. Police say they have detained a male and seized a knife. Within hours, claims spread online that the suspect is an asylum seeker who arrived in the UK by boat in 2023. Some claims include an alleged identity. July 30, 2024: In the evening, a peaceful vigil is held outside Southport's Atkinson arts venue, where flowers are laid in memory of those who died. Shortly after the vigil, a separate protest begins outside the town's mosque in St Luke's Road. People throw items towards the mosque, property is damaged and police vehicles are set on fire. July 31, 2024: Demonstrators gather in Whitehall, London, for an "Enough Is Enough" protest. Flares and cans are thrown at police and more than 100 people are arrested. Disorder also breaks out in Hartlepool, County Durham, and Aldershot, Hampshire. August 1, 2024: Police announce that Rudakubana has been charged with the murders of Bebe, Elsie Dot and Alice, 10 counts of attempted murder and possession of a bladed article. He is not named by police because of his age. He appears in court in Liverpool and Honorary Recorder of Liverpool Andrew Menary KC rules he can be named, as he is due to turn 18 in a week. He initially smiled on entering the courtroom - then kept his face covered by his sweatshirt for the remainder of the proceedings before the case was adjourned. Later that evening, demonstrators gather outside a hotel in Newton Heath, Manchester. August 2, 2024: Three police officers are taken to hospital after disorder in Sunderland. August 3, 2024: There are scenes of violence during planned protests across the UK, including in Liverpool, Hull, Nottingham and Belfast. August 4, 2024: Disorder continues, including outside a Holiday Inn Express in Rotherham, South Yorkshire, where masked demonstrators launch lengths of wood and sprayed fire extinguishers at police officers. August 5, 2024: The Government holds an emergency Cobra meeting in the wake of the disorder and Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer vows to "ramp up criminal justice". That evening, a peaceful vigil is held in Southport, a week on from the killings. Police deal with disorder in Plymouth, Devon and Darlington, County Durham. August 7, 2024: Prison sentences for those involved in the unrest begin to be handed out. Derek Drummond, 58, is the first person to be jailed for violent disorder at Liverpool Crown Court, where he is sentenced to three years. More than 100 protests are planned for across the country, with counter-demonstrations taking place, but the majority of police forces report very little trouble. October 29, 2024: Merseyside Police announces Rudakubana will appear at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink the next day charged with production of a biological toxin, Ricin, and possession of information likely to be useful to a person committing or preparing to commit an act of terrorism. October 30, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Westminster Magistrates' Court via videolink from HMP Belmarsh to face the two new charges. He holds his sweater over the bottom half of his face and does not respond when asked to confirm his name. November 13, 2024: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court via videolink. He covers his face with his grey sweatshirt and does not speak throughout the hearing. About 20 family members of victims sit in the public gallery. The case is adjourned until December 12, when a preparatory hearing will take place. January 20, 2025: Rudakubana appears at Liverpool Crown Court for the first day of his trial where he pleads guilty to all 16 charges, including the murders of Alice da Silva Aguiar, nine, Bebe King, six, and Elsie Dot Stancombe, seven.
