A mother-of-three drowned after becoming trapped between giant boulders in a sea defence wall, with witnesses saying it felt like 'an eternity' before emergency services arrived, an inquest has heard.
Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, slipped and fell head-first into a crevice beneath the Esplanade in Lowestoft, Suffolk, during a dog walk with her daughter in February 2025. Despite desperate efforts by members of the public to free her, the rising tide proved fatal.
The inquest at Suffolk Coroner's Court heard that an initial 999 call was made at 7.52pm, but the fire service was not mobilised until 8.10pm – an 18-minute delay. By the time rescue crews freed her, she was unresponsive.
Area Coroner Darren Stewart OBE said the hearing, expected to conclude on May 15, would examine the emergency services' response and prioritisation. Witnesses described the scene as 'like an ice rink' due to a sudden temperature drop.
Ms Cole-Nottage was described as 'bubbly, fun and full of life', a much-loved daughter, sister and mother. Her 11-year-old daughter, who was holding the dog at the time, tried to help alongside two men but could not free her.
