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Charlotte Furness-Smith cave death 'misadventure' Charlotte Furness-Smith cave death: Family questions rescue 'delay'
(35 minutes later)
A former Royal Navy reservist who became trapped in a sea cave died by misadventure, a coroner has ruled. The family of a former Royal Navy reservist who died in a sea cave has questioned why it took more than an hour before a rescue attempt was made.
Charlotte, 30, and brother Alex Furness-Smith had been coasteering when they became trapped at Durlston, near Swanage, Dorset, in November last year.Charlotte, 30, and brother Alex Furness-Smith had been coasteering when they became trapped at Durlston, near Swanage, Dorset, in November last year.
Mr Furness-Smith told the inquest the pair were going kitesurfing but changed their plans due to the weather. He managed to escape and get help but his sister could not be reached.
The coroner recommended a gallantry award for a volunteer coastguard who took part in the recue bid. Her death was ruled as misadventure but her family said three "key" witnesses should have been called.
Mr Furness-Smith, 31, managed to get out and went to find help. In a statement, they added: "There is sufficient evidence that there was a lack of leadership on that difficult and challenging afternoon and we do not think it is unreasonable for us to try to ascertain why over an hour was allowed to lapse before a rescue attempt was made.
By the time rescuers managed to get to his sister she had died. Her body has never been found. "We have asked the coroner... to adjourn the inquest until three key witnesses, who unfortunately could not be with us today, can attend and be questioned."
Queen's CommendationQueen's Commendation
The BBC has asked the Maritime and Coastguard Agency to comment.
Ms Furness-Smith, known as "Buffy" to her friends, was a maths teacher at Bristol Free School and had also appeared on Royal Navy posters during her time as a reservist.Ms Furness-Smith, known as "Buffy" to her friends, was a maths teacher at Bristol Free School and had also appeared on Royal Navy posters during her time as a reservist.
On Tuesday, the inquest at Bournemouth Coroner's Court heard how she and her brother had been swimming and climbing along the cliff face - an activity known as coasteering - when the weather deteriorated even more. On Tuesday, Mr Furness-Smith told the inquest the pair had intended to go kitesurfing but changed their plans due to the weather.
Bournemouth Coroner's Court heard how he and his sister had been climbing and swimming along the cliff face - an activity known as coasteering - when the weather deteriorated even more.
Winds of 35mph and waves of 3ft (1m) pushed them into Tilly Whim cave, a sea cave at the old stone quarries at Durlston.Winds of 35mph and waves of 3ft (1m) pushed them into Tilly Whim cave, a sea cave at the old stone quarries at Durlston.
Inside the cave it was pitch black and they were being tossed upside down by the waves, Mr Furness-Smith told the hearing.Inside the cave it was pitch black and they were being tossed upside down by the waves, Mr Furness-Smith told the hearing.
After several failed attempts, he managed to escape and raised the alarm. After several failed attempts he managed to escape and raised the alarm.
A coastguard helicopter arrived within eight minutes and he was winched to safety.A coastguard helicopter arrived within eight minutes and he was winched to safety.
Paramedic Adrian Rogers was then lowered to a blowhole at the top of the cave from where he spoke to Ms Furness-Smith still trapped inside. Paramedic winchman Adrian Rogers was then lowered to a blowhole at the top of the cave from where he spoke to Ms Furness-Smith still trapped inside.
He was unable to lift her out and a specialist rescue team was called.He was unable to lift her out and a specialist rescue team was called.
When they got inside the cave they discovered Ms Furness-Smith's lifeless body lying face down in the water.When they got inside the cave they discovered Ms Furness-Smith's lifeless body lying face down in the water.
They were not able to recover the body and subsequent searches failed to find it. They were not able to recover the body due to the conditions and subsequent searches failed to find it.
At the end of the inquest, coroner Sheriff Payne recommended volunteer coastguard Ian Bulger for a Queen's Commendation for Bravery.At the end of the inquest, coroner Sheriff Payne recommended volunteer coastguard Ian Bulger for a Queen's Commendation for Bravery.
He was winched through the blowhole as part of the rescue attempt.He was winched through the blowhole as part of the rescue attempt.