A coroner has slammed "selfish" drivers who parked illegally near a packed beach, causing emergency vehicles to be delayed responding to a drowning incident involving a 15-year-old girl.
An inquest into the death of Chiedza Nyanjowa heard how emergency services struggled to reach Formby Beach on Merseyside because of cars blocking narrow access roads during the May bank holiday weekend.
Coroner Elizabeth Wheeler detailed how, while she found no evidence that the delays contributed to Chiedza's death, she warned that similar situations could cost lives in the future.
The teenager had tragically died after getting into difficulty in the sea while trying to retrieve a volleyball on May 25.
Ms Wheeler determined the cause of death was by misadventure, but issued a stark warning about the dangers caused by illegal parking.
She said: "I am concerned that selfish and illegal parking can have an impact on delaying emergency vehicles, which can have implications for future deaths."
The inquest heard how Chiedza, who could not swim, had been visiting family during the half-term break and spent the day at Formby Beach, which was crowded due to the warm weather.
She and her 11-year-old cousin were playing volleyball near the shoreline when the ball drifted into the sea.
The coroner slammed the drivers who park illegally near the beach
|MERSEYSIDE POLICE/GETTY
Coroner's officer Emma Donaldson said both children went into the water to retrieve it. "The depth increased quickly, reaching her cousin's neck and Chiedza's chin," she told the hearing. "Chiedza tried to climb on her cousin's shoulders, submerging her."
Her younger cousin managed to swim back to shore after telling Chiedza to hold onto the volleyball as a flotation aid. The court heard it took around 15 minutes for help to be raised, and by the time members of the public pulled Chiedza from the water, she was unconscious.
Off-duty nurses and a doctor who happened to be at the beach immediately began CPR before the teenager was airlifted to the hospital, but passed away four days later at Alder Hey Children's Hospital.
The coroner has now expressed strong criticism of motorists whose vehicles blocked roads leading to the beach, causing unnecessary obstacles for emergency services.
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The teenager tragically drowned while fetching a volleyball in the Merseyside sea
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"I record my condemnation of selfish drivers who park illegally simply for the sake of having to avoid walking a short distance," Wheeler said.
Despite her concerns, the coroner decided not to issue a formal Prevention of Future Deaths report, noting that Sefton Council had already introduced yellow lines on roads leading to the beach and was unsure which organisation could take further action.
Local MP Bill Esterson for Sefton Central said agencies were already reviewing what happened and examining ways to improve public safety.
In a statement ahead of the inquest, he said: "My thoughts remain with Chiedza's loved ones as they continue to cope with this tragic loss."
Sefton Council has already introduced yellow lines on roads leading to the beach
| GETTYHe confirmed that Merseyside Police and partner agencies had carried out a multi-agency review following the incident.
Mr Esterson added that parking restrictions, enforcement, emergency access and longer-term safety measures would all be discussed with local authorities and emergency services.
He said: "I will support these reviews and work with all relevant agencies to ensure that improvements are made to protect lives."
The MP also pledged to push for "practical, sustainable solutions" to improve safety at Formby Beach and reduce risks when large numbers of visitors arrive during warm weather.