An inquest has heard that rescue efforts to save a mother trapped headfirst in sea defence rocks did not follow established guidance. Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, from Lowestoft, Suffolk, died after falling while walking her dog on The Esplanade on February 2 last year.
Timeline of Events
An initial 999 call was made at 7:52 PM, and a paramedic arrived at the scene at 8:10 PM. At 8:13 PM, police were informed by the ambulance service that it was believed to be a body recovery operation. Her medical cause of death was later recorded as drowning.
Expert Testimony
Professor Richard Lyon, a consultant in emergency medicine, told an inquest in Ipswich on Tuesday that a clock should start on 30 minutes of rescue efforts once a responder arrives on scene and confirms a person is submerged. Prof Lyon, who holds roles with NHS Scotland and the University of Surrey, stated: 'I do not think the guidance was followed in this case.'
He explained: 'The guidance is quite clear that the clock starts when the responder arrives on scene … and submersion is confirmed.' He questioned 'how sure the responders could be that Saffron was actually confirmed submerged when that decision [at 8:13 PM] seemed to have been made from above the railings when she [Ms Cole-Nottage] was down in a difficult situation.'
Prof Lyon emphasised the importance of having 'an absolute time that everyone is working to and that time is sure and that’s definite.' He added: 'That’s why the guidance is very clear that the time should be from the arrival of the first rescuer - there’s no ambiguity about that time. The whole purpose of the guideline is to maximise the chance of a lifesaving rescue.'
He cautioned that information on timings from a bystander may be 'inaccurate' and should not be relied on, noting: 'This is a stressful situation for a bystander.' He also mentioned the possibility of an 'air pocket' and stressed: 'The initial focus is always on rescue, it’s always to maximise the chance of a successful outcome.'
Survival Window
Prof Lyon said the length of time a person could survive while submerged depended on factors including age, physiology, and environmental conditions. He explained that a submerged person would initially attempt to hold their breath, which may last 'a minute or two,' then take a breath leading to water entering the mouth and upper airway, eventually stopping breathing and heart function.
He estimated Ms Cole-Nottage’s window for 'probable survival' was around five minutes after submersion began, adding that being upside down would have made breathing 'harder' for her.
Alcohol Level
The inquest previously heard that a level of 271 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood was recorded for Ms Cole-Nottage, well above the legal driving limit of 80 milligrammes. Prof Lyon said the alcohol would make her 'more likely to stumble, more likely to trip' and that her 'protective reflex would have been diminished,' meaning she may not have put an arm out as she fell. 'When she was between the rocks her ability to move … and try to push herself out would have been impaired as well,' he said.
Prof Lyon concluded: 'For Saffron to have had a probable survival, she would have needed to be rescued within five minutes of submersion and, if required, for CPR to start within that time.' He noted that 'survival was possible up until about the 15-minute mark,' but she may have sustained a brain injury, and 'beyond 25 minutes, survival would not have been possible.' He stressed: 'All of these numbers are a best possible expert opinion.' The inquest continues.
