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\n\t\tMum Saffron Cole-Nottage died after slipping and becoming trapped from her head between large seaside rocks (Picture: East Anglia News Service)<\/p>\n
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\n\t\tMum Saffron Cole-Nottage died after slipping and becoming trapped from her head between large seaside rocks (Picture: East Anglia News Service)<\/p>\n
Emergency services failed to rescue a woman who drowned after her head was trapped between two rocks as they lacked the proper equipment, an inquest heard.<\/p>\n
Saffron Cole-Nottage died after becoming trapped between sea defence rocks while walking her dog on the Esplanade in Lowestoft, Suffolk<\/a>, in February 2025.<\/p>\n Coastguard and ambulance staff arrived on the scene but said no attempt was made to rescue the 32-year-old because they were not wearing PPE.<\/p>\n Firefighter Jason Wilkins said the team were unable to save Ms Cole-Nottage because they \u2018had no equipment with them and it would go against their policy to go down without equipment\u2019.<\/p>\n Four fire crews, 12 firefighters and a specialist team were on hand to rescue the mother, Daily Mail <\/a>reported.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\tSign up for all of the latest stories\t\t\t<\/p>\n Start your day informed with Metro’s News Updates<\/a> newsletter or get Breaking News<\/a> alerts the moment it happens. <\/p>\n Another firefighter, Ben Whale, told the inquest he believed Ms Cole-Nottage could have been saved despite the cold conditions.<\/p>\n He said the rescue operation \u2018did not feel quite right\u2019 and that the rescue was a \u2018simple manual manipulation\u2019.<\/p>\n A statement read out on behalf of Ms Cole-Nottage\u2019s partner Michael thanked emergency services for their efforts.<\/p>\n \t\t The inquest also heard that rescue efforts were further hindered because the ambulance call handler failed to make it clear fire crews were needed.<\/p>\n Elizabeth Pardon, a crew commander for the fire service control room, said it was not clear whether their service was being requested or not.<\/p>\n She clarified that the fire service did routinely attend emergencies at sea.<\/p>\n Another call handler, Megan Dunkley, said it was unclear whether \u2018we were needed or requested by another agency\u2019.<\/p>\n The court was told it had become normal practice for ambulance crews to alert the fire and rescue service of incidents they were attending to, whether the fire brigade were required or not.<\/p>\n Firefighter Sebastian Harrod said fire crews arrived at the scene at 8.22pm and performed CPR on the drowning woman within eight minutes.<\/p>\n But the inquest heard that paramedics and police had already declared the incident a Recognition of Life Extinct (ROLE).<\/p>\n Volunteer Coastguard Matthew Knight\u00a0said he drove to the scene in a \u2018calmer manner\u2019 than he otherwise would have done as he believed it was too late to save the mother.<\/p>\n Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk<\/a>.<\/p>\n For more stories like this, check our news page<\/a>.<\/p>\n Arrow Arrow Arrow![\"EAST](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/britain\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/05\/SEI_295922102-e993.jpg\")
\n\t\tFloral tributes left for Ms Cole-Nottage at the promenade in Lowesoft, Suffolk (Picture:East Anglia News Service)<\/p>\n
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