'Sad and tragic' death of Blackpool man Connor Stewart-Woods was an accident, says coroner

Connor Stewart-Woods, 26, of Tyldesley Road, died on March 2 after falling into the sea while jogging on Blackpool Promenade.

Concluding the investigation into his death at Blackpool town hall today, coroner Alan Wilson said actions taken by Connor that day had led to his death.

He said: "There were probably two points at which Connor had been reckless. First was that he clearly has gone beyond a safety sign and a chain in contravention of the advice given on that sign, and secondly there is a point on the CCTV where he is seen to hesitate and then cross over a sloping section of the wall. At these two points he was sadly reckless to his safety and his welfare.

"I can't see any alternative but to conclude as follows that this was an accidental death."

At a previous hearing, the court heard how Connor had been jogging southwards on the lower part of the Promenade when he attempted to cross a sloping surface covered in green algae behind the Sandcastle Waterpark.

He slipped and was dragged out by the strong waves.

Two lifeboats, two coastguards and a helicopter were called out at 3.45pm after he was spotted hanging onto the South Pier, shouting for help.

But shortly after he was seen, he disappeared under the water and did not come up again.

Another search carried out at low tide found Connor’s body 50m out underneath the South Pier at about 9pm. The cause of death was found to be drowning.

Coroner Wilson said: "Green algae was in place on the sloping section of the wall (where Connor slipped) and by the time the inquest occurred it had been cleaned. It may well have been dampened by the spray. It was clear this was at high tide and the spray would have been hitting that area. It may be a contributing factor as to how Connor found himself in the water."

He said it was to be expected that such algae would form on sea defences, but that he would write to Blackpool Council to remind them that the slope should be cleaned regularly to make the area as safe as possible.

Handing down a conclusion of accidental death, he said: "This is a very sad and tragic case, for a young man to go out for a run and for it to end in this way. Connor was a local man; he would have been fully aware of the potential of the tide. Nevertheless, this is a tragic set of circumstances and we offer our condolences to the family."