Coroner writing to government and Tesco to raise paddleboard safety concerns
An 'accidental' conclusion was reached at the inquest for Emma Louise Powell, but the coroner felt safety concerns from the case must be highlighted
Last updated 9th Dec 2022
The family of a woman from North Wales who died while paddleboarding have praised a coroner for saying he'll write to the Government and Tesco.
Emma Louise Powell, 24, died after getting into trouble on the River Conwy in July, just hours after buying a new board.
The inquest heard both she and her mum sat on the shoreline and read all the information that came with the board before she set off - then ran into trouble almost immediately.
Yesterday a separate report was released into the deaths of four paddleboarders in Haverfordwest in South Wales which also called for changes and was referenced during the inquest.
The coroner, John Gittins, said he didn't want to 'single out' Tesco, and the same tragic incident could have occurred if the paddleboard had been purchased from a number of retailers.
He suggested legislation might be a way forward, but it would not be for him to decide the course of action.
Mr Gittins told the inquest that his intention was not to stop people doing the sport for pleasure and other health or outdoor benefits but warned: "I have a duty to try to make sure people do so safely.”
Emma Louise Powell died in Ysbyty Gwynedd, Bangor, after paddleboarding on the River Conwy on July 14.
The 24 year old, from Llandudno, had only been paddleboarding once before and bought a board from Tesco the night she died.
The inquest heard Ms Powell was 'fit and healthy' and her passing 'left a huge void'. She has also been described as a 'beautiful young lady who was adventurous and had a free spirit'.
What happened to Emma?
Witness Courtney Powell, Emma's cousin, said she had a call at 9pm asking if she wanted to go paddleboarding with Emma, who had just bought a paddleboard that night. Courtney arrived at 930pm, saying on arrival it was still daylight and just starting to enter twilight.
It was discussed that the water looked a little 'rough', but Emma had already blown up her board and she was the first into the water just after 10pm.
Neither Ms Powell and her friend Amber entered the water wearing a lifejacket and they both wore ankle leashes - while initially staying close to the shore where the water was not deep.
The pair were quickly pulled out by the tide, while kneeling on the boards, bringing them close to a nearby boat - maybe 20 or 30 yards from where they entered the water.
They both crashed into the boat on their boards, and Courtney then heard shouting from Amber behind the boat - who warned Emma was stuck and in difficulty.
A helper was unable to reach Emma because of the strength of the water, while two girls and another boy came over to offer to help - and a group member immediately called an ambulance.
The inquest heard that while they ran into the water the tide had pushed Amber and another friend far from the boat - and there was concern that they couldn't reach Emma because of the strength of the water.
The person who owned the boat started screaming from the jetty 'she's here' and pulled her board from the water and then moved the boat - where Emma's body was seen and pulled from the water before those at the scene attempted to resuscitate her.
Emergency services were called to the scene and the RNLI also launched a lifeboat - saying it was a 'powerful current' that night and the conditions would have been a 'challenge' to swim against for anyone.
Members of the RNLI say Ms Powell appeared trapped on the pontoon by her leg and took minutes to get free because of the strength of the water.
The inquest heard those family members only realised how strong the moving tidal water had been when they returned the next day and saw the water much calmer.
This video gives an insight into the dangers of moving water:
What did the coroner consider?
During the inquest, the coroner asked the RNLI responders from that day about whether more education about tides and potential dangers were needed - and whether warning signs in the area were adequate.
He reflected on the growing number of paddleboarders and rise in popularity of the sport - and the RNLI members who attended that day said they afterwards had discussed whether 'more education' was needed from retailers at the point of sale.
The inquest heard that wearing a lifejacket or buoyancy aid would have improved Emma's chances of survival that night - along with a quick-release waist belt.
Have retailers already been asked to do more?
Earlier this year following the death of Cheltenham's Simon Flynn in Cornwall's Camel Estuary, his best friend Sam Foyle, Cheltenham MP Alex Chalk and Greatest Hits Radio jointly brought the industry together in the UK Parliament to discuss what joint safety changes and messaging could be agreed. Tesco was among the retailers invited.
A follow-up event was held at the RNLI's headquarters in Poole, and ahead of that the RNLI and British Canoeing wrote to a range of 'large non-traditional water sport retailers' - i.e. supermarkets - urging them to do more to provide safety information at the point of sale.
What safety changes are campaigners calling for?
Sam Foyle, the best friend of Simon Flynn, believes supplying two types of safety leash (quick-release and ankle) as standard should be something the whole industry automatically does. At the moment, following Simon's death, some retailers now supply both types - including McConks and Fatstick - but not all. Research by Sam last year showed fewer than one in ten websites even mentioned leashes. Many in the industry say 'education' about potential dangers is the most important aspect to focus on and the RNLI - which is rescuing more and more paddleboarders each year - also warn about the impact of offshore winds.
Tesco's Response
After being reached for comment, a Tesco Spokesperson said: “We are deeply sorry to hear about this tragic incident, and our thoughts are with everyone affected by it."
They also said they have not yet received the coroner's letter, but once they receive the full details of the concerns he raises, they will thoroughly review them.