A teenage girl has died after going swimming too soon after eating a large meal during a seaside trip, an inquest has heard.
Lucy Reed, from Lincolnshire, tragically died from asphyxiation on June 24, 2023, after entering the water near Cleethorpes Pier shortly after eating pizza and chips.
According to findings presented at Grimsby Town Hall, Lucy inhaled gastric contents after vomiting while swimming, leading to a fatal lack of oxygen.
The senior coroner Paul Smith concluded that Lucy’s death was the result of misadventure, describing it as the unintended consequence of swimming on a full stomach.
The inquest heard that Lucy had travelled to the coast for a day trip with her mother and a friend. After eating lunch, her mother encouraged her to wait before swimming. However, Lucy entered the water shortly after 1 p.m., with her friend, agreeing to meet her mother back at the pier soon after.
While in the water, the two girls quickly found themselves out of their depth as the tide receded. Neither was a strong swimmer. Lucy attempted to swim toward shallower waters but began struggling, eventually vomiting and inhaling the contents, which caused her to lose consciousness.
When Lucy failed to return at the agreed time, her mother raised the alarm at 2:22pm. A large-scale search was launched involving police, the Coastguard, and RNLI lifeboat crews.
Search teams combed the area around Cleethorpes Pier, and Lucy was eventually located over three hours later. She was airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary, where she was later pronounced dead.
The post-mortem examination by pathologist Dr Justin Cooke confirmed the cause of death as asphyxia caused by inhalation of gastric contents, not drowning.
Coroner Smith noted that Lucy and her friend were caught in a falling tide, which pulled them further from shore. He said Lucy had likely died within minutes of the incident, though her death was not officially confirmed until later that evening.
He also highlighted the challenging conditions faced by emergency responders that day, with the Coastguard and police dealing with over 20 missing person reports in the same timeframe.
A spokesperson for the Maritime and Coastguard Agency expressed condolences, saying: “Our thoughts remain with everyone affected by the tragic events of 24 June 2023.”
They added a warning about the dangers of coastal waters: “Incoming tides can come in behind you, cutting off your exit without warning. Always check tide times and conditions before heading into the water.”
Lucy’s family unveils campaign
In memory of Lucy, family and friends raised over £1,000 for the RNLI and launched a campaign to raise awareness about beach safety and the risks of swimming after eating.
