Sunderland coroner’s report into open water swimming death

A coroner has urged the government to act after a man drowned while taking part in an open water swim.

Joel Kenneth Ineson, 55, suffered a “cardiac event” at Hetton Lyons Country Park, near Houghton-le-Spring, during an organised swim on 31 May, 2023.

While his death was recorded as “accidental”, senior coroner David Place, writing in a report aimed at preventing future deaths, warned the activity’s growing popularity was not matched by sufficient oversight or regulation.

The Secretary of State for Culture, Media and Sport and the Health and Safety Executive have until 5 June to respond, setting out what action they propose to take or explain why none is planned.

Mr Place said there was a risk of further fatalities unless changes were made.

The medical cause of Mr Ineson’s death was given as drowning, with diffuse myocardial scarring as a contributing factor.

Safety issues raised at the event were not found to have caused his death.

However, Mr Place said Mr Ineson had a “reasonable expectation that appropriate safety measures would be in place”.

“The evidence highlighted uncertainty and confusion with regard to responsibility for aspects of safety measures,” he wrote.

“Some participants did not receive a safety briefing, there was a lack of knowledge about the competency of swimmers, and no understanding of how many people were in the water at any one time.”

The report also noted an absence of formal requirements around risk assessments, emergency plans, signing in and out procedures, and organiser training, with “no established UK body”.

Mr Place wrote: “It became clear in evidence that the activity does not require a licence from the Adventure Activities Licensing Authority and can be undertaken and/or organised by anyone without regulation.”