Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, died at the scene after falling headfirst into sea defence rocks in Lowestoft, Suffolk, while walking her dog. An inquest heard that rescue efforts did not follow guidance
Eliana Nunes and Emma O’Neill Content Editor
20:05, 12 May 2026
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Emergency response procedures to rescue a mother wedged head-down in coastal defence rocks failed to adhere to established protocols, an inquest has been told.
Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, lost her life following a fall in Lowestoft, Suffolk, while exercising her dog along The Esplanade on 2 February last year.
An initial emergency call was placed at 7.52pm, with a paramedic reaching the location at 8.10pm. At 8.13pm, police received notification from the ambulance service indicating they believed it to be a body recovery operation. Her medical cause of death was subsequently recorded as drowning.
Professor Richard Lyon, a consultant in emergency medicine, informed an inquest in Ipswich on Tuesday that a 30-minute window for rescue attempts should commence once a first responder reaches the scene and verifies a person is submerged.
Prof Lyon, who holds positions with NHS Scotland and the University of Surrey, stated: “I do not think the guidance was followed in this case.”, reports the Mirror.
He explained: “The guidance is quite clear that the clock starts when the responder arrives on scene … and submersion is confirmed.” He questioned “how sure the responders could be that Saffron was actually confirmed submerged when that decision [at 8.13pm] seemed to have been made from above the railings when she [Ms Cole-Nottage] was down in a difficult situation”.
(Image: EADT / SWNS)
Prof Lyon stated it was “important to have an absolute time that everyone is working to and that time is sure and that’s definite”. “That’s why the guidance is very clear that the time should be from the arrival of the first rescuer – there’s no ambiguity about that time,” he said. “The whole purpose of the guideline is to maximise the chance of a lifesaving rescue.”
He cautioned that timing information provided by a bystander may be “inaccurate” and should not be relied upon, adding: “This is a stressful situation for a bystander.” He also acknowledged the possibility of an “air pocket”. “The initial focus is always on rescue, it’s always to maximise the chance of a successful outcome,” he said.
Prof Lyon explained that the duration a person could survive while submerged depended on several factors, including age, physiology and environmental conditions.
He outlined that a submerged individual would initially try to hold their breath, which might last “a minute or two”, before eventually inhaling, allowing water to enter the mouth and upper airway, ultimately leading to breathing cessation and cardiac arrest.
(Image: EADT / SWNS)
Prof Lyon estimated Ms Cole-Nottage’s window for “probable survival” was around five minutes after submersion began. He further noted that being upside down would have made breathing “harder” for Ms Cole-Nottage. The inquest has previously been informed that Ms Cole-Nottage had 271 milligrammes of alcohol per 100ml of blood in her system. For context, the legal driving limit in England stands at 80 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood.
Prof Lyon explained the impact of the alcohol was “most relevant in terms of it would make her more likely to stumble, more likely to trip”. He noted Ms Cole-Nottage’s “protective reflex would have been diminished”, suggesting she may not have put an arm out as she fell. “When she was between the rocks her ability to move … and try to push herself out would have been impaired as well,” he stated.
Prof Lyon explained: “For Saffron to have had a probable survival, she would have needed to be rescued within five minutes of submersion and, if required, for CPR to start within that time.”
He added that “survival was possible up until about the 15-minute mark”, though she may have sustained a brain injury. “In my opinion, beyond 25 minutes, survival would not have been possible,” he stated.
“I should stress, all of these numbers are a best possible expert opinion,” he added. The inquest is ongoing.
