Investigation and inquest
On 29 March 2023, an investigation was commenced into the death of MUSA SIDIQUE KONTEH, then aged 30 years. The investigation concluded at the end of an inquest, heard by me, on 1 November 2023.
The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death, the medical cause of death being:
1a asphyxia
1b pulmonary oedema as a consequence of drowning.
Circumstances of the death
(1) Musa and his girlfriend were staying at a beach resort in Sierra Leone on 18/19 March 2023.
(2) On Sunday 19 March 2023, Musa hired a jet ski from the resort.
(3) Having gone out on the jet ski alone, Musa failed to return.
(4) A local eyewitness is said to have seen Musa in the water, but believed him to be swimming at the time and thought nothing of it.
(5) A local search on the afternoon of 19 March 2023, recovered the jet ski but did not find Musa.
(6) On Wednesday 22 March 2023, Musa’s body was found in the water.
(7) There was no evidence to suggest that Musa used alcohol prior to taking the jet ski out.
Coroner’s concerns
(1) Little, if any, health and safety procedures were in place for those hiring jet skis. For example: no instructions on the use of the emergency engine cut-off were given; no instructions were given on any areas to avoid, in the context of an area with many submerged rocks; and no lifejackets were supplied to people hiring jet skis.
(2) The relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel advice, warns of strong currents and the absence of lifeguards on beaches; however, it does not advise travellers that health and safety standards may be lower than people may experience in UK.