Saffron Cole-Nottage's family said in court that her death had "left an indescribable void in their lives"
Credit: Saffron Cole-Nottage/Facebook
NEED TO KNOW
- Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, died on Feb. 2, 2025 after falling headfirst onto rocks at a beach while walking with her daughter and their dog in the town of Lowestoft in England
- Witnesses said they tried to help free Cole-Nottage from the rocks but weren’t able to save her, it was revealed in court
- When emergency services reached her, Cole-Nottage was unresponsive, with the cause of death listed as drowning, per the BBC
Further details have been revealed after a mom in her 30s drowned after falling onto rocks and becoming trapped at a beach in England.
Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, and her daughter were walking their dog along a narrow path close to the Esplanade in Lowestoft, U.K., on the evening of Feb. 2, 2025, when she slipped and fell, according to the BBC.
The incident occurred at around 8:03 p.m. local time, the Suffolk Constabulary previously said in a statement to PEOPLE. Police also confirmed the woman “sadly died at the scene.”
Suffolk Coroner's Court was previously told that Cole-Nottage had slipped, before landing on the path. However, she then slipped again as she stood up, falling headfirst on to rocks that were part of sea defences, per the BBC.
It was then revealed in court that Cole-Nottage's death had been recorded as drowning, the BBC and ITV News reported on Tuesday, May 5.
Credit: Saffron Cole-Nottage/Facebook
Pathologist Raj Logasundarum confirmed that she'd been above England's legal alcohol limit for driving at the time of her death, stating that this “would have significantly impaired her cognitive abilities,” per ITV News.
Cole-Nottage's partner, Michael Wheeler, said in a statement read to the court that she’d come home after going for a meal earlier that day, but he didn’t believe she was drunk, per the BBC.
After Cole-Nottage fell, two men had attempted to pull her out of the rocks by her legs, which were the only part of her body that was visible, according to the outlet. Passerby Ian Jones described her as "screaming and panicking” to the court.
Alex Singleton-Dent said he worked with Jones to help free Cole-Nottage, “but we just couldn’t,” per ITV News.
A statement from a child who was there that evening said it “felt like an eternity waiting for the ambulance to arrive,” the outlet reported.
When emergency services reached her, Cole-Nottage was unresponsive, per the BBC.
It was previously revealed in court that a call to emergency services had been made at 7:52 p.m., but the fire service hadn’t been mobilized until 18 minutes later, per ITV News.
Cole-Nottage’s partner, Wheeler, revealed that she'd eaten a meal and had a few drinks at the Hatfield Hotel in Lowestoft on the day of her death, before later walking to a pub near Claremont Pier, according to ITV News.
Wheeler told the court that she wasn’t “slurring her words” and was “acting normally” when she returned home, per the outlet.
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE's free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Credit: SPK / Alamy Stock Photo
Wheeler said she’d taken their dog for a walk at around 7 p.m. on the evening of her death, per ITV News.
Wheeler recalled, “I remember they had been gone for about an hour and I began to worry,” adding, “I heard a helicopter, I heard the dog barking, and my child being brought back towards the house,” according to the outlet.
Cole-Nottage’s family said in a statement read in court that her death had "left an indescribable void in their lives," per the BBC.
They also described her as "bubbly, fun and full of life" and said she “would light up any room,” the outlet reported.
Suffolk Coroner's Court didn't immediately respond when contacted by PEOPLE for additional information.
Read the full article here
