Cousins drowned after being swept off rocks in Devon

Two cousins drowned after they were swept off rocks by large waves off the Devon coast, an inquest has heard.

Jordan O’Rourke, 24, of no fixed abode, was pronounced dead at the scene by emergency services, while Luke Keyte-Rigby, 24, of Willowfield Road, in Torquay, was taken to Torbay Hospital where he later died.

The inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court heard from eye-witness Daniel Hoare who said he saw the men being swept off rocks at Oddicombe Beach in Torquay on 27 May 2023.

Mr Hoare, who alerted rescuers, said the waves were 20ft (6m) higher than the tall rocks which the men were climbing on. The coroner recorded misadventure conclusions.

Mr Hoare told police at the scene: “They climbed to the tallest part of the rocks.

“The wave knocked the first man into the water, he was screaming loudly and waving his arms.”

He said another wave then knocked Mr Keyte-Rigby into the water.

The inquest heard officers from Devon and Cornwall Police recovered empty beer cans, vodka bottles and cannabis from the scene.

Area coroner, Alison Longhorn, said the cousins spent time together socialising at various places around Torbay but had not told any family members their plans for that weekend.

Mark O’Rourke also told the hearing that his brother was not a good swimmer.

Toxicology tests showed Mr O’Rourke had taken cocaine and cannabis and drunk alcohol beforehand and Mr Keyte-Rigby had also consumed alcohol and taken cocaine.

The inquest heard this could have affected their cognitive behaviour.