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Investigation and inquest
On 10 May 2022, I commenced an investigation into the death of James Francis PARSONS.
The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 6 February 2023. The conclusion of the inquest was as follows.
Accidental Death
The four statutory questions - who, when, where and how – were answered as follows
James Francis PARSONS died at Porthleven Harbour on 23 April 2022 from drowning after falling off the harbour wall and into the harbour waters.
The medical cause of death was established on the evidence as
1a) – disease or condition directly leading to death
Drowning
1b) – any other disease or condition leading to immediate Cause of Death
Alcohol intoxication
Circumstances of the death
On 24 April 2022 Mr Parsons was reported to police as a missing person by his wife, ████████. Mr Parsons had spent the evening of Friday 22 April 2022 at the Porthleven Food Festival. He had been due to meet up with his wife at a rented holiday cottage in Porthleven on the morning of Saturday 23 April 2022. He failed to meet her as planned and was uncontactable.
The police search revealed that Mr Parsons was last seen just before midnight on 22 April 2022 by a witness in the in the big tent at the harbour. The witness stated that Mr Parsons did not seem to be drunk at the time that they were speaking.
On 4 May 2022 the fully clothed body of Mr Parsons was recovered from the sea, approximately 4 miles off the coast of the Isles of Scilly after being spotted by a fisherman.
The post-mortem revealed no injuries and gave the cause of death identified above. Toxicology shows raised urine ethanol (alcohol) at 291 mg / 100 ML. For comparison, the legal driving limit alcohol in urine is 107 mg / 100 ML urine.
The Inquest findings were as follows
• Mr Parsons died after midnight, on 23 April 2023 after falling into the harbour waters and drowning.
• Due to Mr Parsons body being located fully clothed, he fell into the water by accident and not through choice.
• That if Mr Parsons was still conscious and was able to shout for help, he is unlikely to have been heard by anyone due to the noise of the ongoing events.
• The alcohol consumed by Mr Parsons made it more likely that when entering the water this would increase the risk of drowning due to impairment of cognition and motor skills.
• Police evidence revealed that the sea off Porthleven features a notorious current that means it is not safe to swim in the harbour.
• The pier and harbour walls raised safety issues discussed below under matters of concern. The police evidence was that these safety issues amounted to a failing to ensure the safety of members of the public.
• Responsibility for public safety rests with the Porthleven Harbour & Dock Company as the owners of the harbour, and with Cornwall Council as the licensing authority for the Food Festival.
Coroner’s concerns
There were safety issues revealed at Porthleven Harbour, particularly in the evening when festival goers will have been drinking alcohol. Sections of the harbour wall feature sheer drops into water with no railings and trip hazards. The pier presents a particular risk due the absence of railings on one side with a sheer drop into water, and being poorly lit. For anyone falling from the pier, swimming to safety will be difficult due to current and the absence of access ladders or refuge area. The pier is sometimes closed to access by the public but was not closed at the time of the festival.
Information checked against the published report and official responses