Sunyana Sharma represents Coastguard in beach drowning inquest
10th October 2024
3PB Barristers’ (3 Paper Buildings) Sunyana Sharma, represents His Majesty’s Coastguard (‘HMCG’) in a 2-week inquest following the tragic deaths of Joseph Abbess and Sunnah Khan who drowned whilst swimming between the red and yellow flags at Bournemouth beach on 31 May 2023 following a flash rip current. The coroner considered the risk assessments carried out by the Bournemouth Christchurch and Poole Borough Council (‘BCP’) and the RNLI prior to the accident, the cause and frequency of rip currents at Bournemouth beach and the efforts of all the emergency services on the day of the tragic events in which she carefully considered the inter-agency collaboration between the RNLI, HMCG, the police and South West Ambulance Service NHS Foundation Trust. She also heard evidence from a Home Office Pathologist and an expert in Oceanography.
In her conclusions, the Coroner hoped that the publicity from the tragic incident would remind beach users of the risk of death when swimming in the sea and the key message of ‘float to live’. She praised both the RNLI, HMCG and other water safety organisations for all the work they do to warn and inform the public of the dangers in the sea.
HM Senior Coroner however raised concerns about the complex legal picture to users of beach safety policy and the need for greater clarity for landowners and which department is responsible for this in government. However she noted the Cabinet Office had responded to a Prevention of Future Deaths Report (‘PFD’) from the Senior Coroner of Cornwall and the Isle of Scilly following the deaths of Michael Pender, Jan Kemplar during COVID-19.
Nevertheless, she remained concerned that the education surrounding beach safety to schools was inadequate, especially to those from non-coastal areas. A PFD was therefore issued to Bridget Phillipson, the Secretary of State for Education as HM Senior Coroner was concerned by the lack of mandatory education that informs children of the risks on water and that this could lead to future deaths.
The case was reported in the National press:
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c4gl97rjzpko
Sunyana Sharma was instructed by Kate Kay, Clare Woodland and Simon Belfield of DWF Law.
Sunyana Sharma is a regulatory and inquest barrister, practicing in professional disciplinary work, maritime and fishing law, health and safety law and all areas of regulatory compliance and consumer protection. Sunyana sits as an Assistant Coroner for Hampshire, Southampton and Portsmouth and as a Deputy District Judge in Civil and Family law.
To instruct Sunyana, please contact Practice Director David Snook via email or telephone 020 7583 8055.
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