British Couple's Maldives Holiday Ends in Double Tragedy
A British man drank himself to death just days after his wife died in a scuba diving accident during their Christmas holiday in the Maldives, a coroner's court has heard.
Holiday Turned Nightmare
Malcolm Richmond, 71, and his wife Elaine, 70, from Chesterfield, Derbyshire, were on what should have been a festive getaway to the tropical paradise when tragedy struck. The couple, described as experienced divers who had visited the Maldives on multiple previous occasions, were diving when sea conditions suddenly deteriorated.
Assistant coroner Matthew Kewley told Chesterfield Coroner's Court: "On this particular day they had carried out a dive when the sea conditions deteriorated which unfortunately led to Mrs Richmond being pulled away in a strong current."
Wife's Fatal Accident
Elaine Richmond, who worked as a currency handler, was suddenly pulled further into the sea by a powerful current on December 19 last year. Her husband immediately raised the alarm and a search was launched, but sadly her body was recovered from the water.
The hospital in the Maldives confirmed she died from drowning and asphyxiation. Mr Kewley noted that while Maldivian police reports described the couple as "professional divers," he believed this meant they were experienced recreational divers rather than working professionals.
Husband's Subsequent Death
Five days after his wife's death, while waiting at the airport for his flight home on December 24, Malcolm Richmond's health deteriorated dramatically. He was admitted to hospital on December 21 and was described as being "heavily intoxicated" at the airport.
The retired miner died from acute alcohol intoxication, which led to multi-organ dysfunction and cardiac arrest. Hospital staff in the Maldives alerted local police following his death.
Inquest Proceedings
The couple's bodies were repatriated to the UK and their deaths were referred to a British coroner on January 6. A full inquest will take place at a later date once further inquiries with authorities in the Maldives are completed.
Mr Kewley stated: "It's understood that Mr Richmond had been admitted to hospital on December 21, after his health had deteriorated whilst he was at the airport waiting to leave the Maldives. It was reported that he was heavily intoxicated at the airport."
The tragic sequence of events has left the local community in Chesterfield in shock, with the couple remembered as experienced travelers who met their untimely deaths during what should have been a joyful Christmas holiday.
