Death of mentally ill ex-soldier ruled a tragic accident as court hears he 'lost his balance' and fell into sea moments after talking to police officer
Jason Mausolf, 46, of Rossett Avenue, left his daughter's home on June 19 last year following a family argument and made his way to the North Pier.
He was known to suffer from mental health problems and alcohol addiction. His family feared for his safety and called the police.
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Hide AdAt his inquest at Blackpool town hall last week, the court heard that an officer had found him sitting on the sea defences near the Metropole Hotel as the sea came in towards him. She approached him and tried to persuade him to move away from the water. However, when he stood up, 'he lost his balance and inadvertently entered the sea'.
Coroner Alan Wilson ruled: "(Mr Mausolf) tried to return to the shore, but unsuccessfully. Police officers made efforts to assist him. He temporarily took hold of a water ring but due to the
force of the current he was unable to retain his hold and was then noted to be face down in the water before he was rescued unresponsive from the sea by the Coastguard.
"Despite extensive cardio-pulmonary resuscitation efforts he could not be revived. Jason was transferred to hospital by ambulance where investigations revealed he had suffered
a catastrophic loss of oxygen which proved fatal and he died in the presence of his family on June 24."
He handed down a conclusion of accidental death