A Shropshire father swam into the sea off a Spanish resort to rescue his son but both were swept away by a freak wave, an inquest heard today.
Symon Howlett, 32, and his five-year-old son Jay, of Market Drayton, died during a holiday in Tossa de Mar, Costa Brava, on November 21 last year.
At Shrewsbury Magistrates Court today Mr John Ellery, coroner for mid and north Shropshire, recorded a verdict of accidental death and said the incident happened on a family holiday in Spain when a freak wave carried the family out to sea.
He said: “Your husband went out to rescue your son and sadly both drowned and were certified dead at the scene.
“The reason I am holding the inquest is that although the deaths occurred on holiday in Spain as the bodies were brought back into my jurisdiction I am required by law to hold an inquest.
“I have had papers from the Spanish authority sent to me on a provisional basis.”
He added that he had not had the full file but understood Deborah Howlett, 36, wished to go ahead with the inquest to bring some closure for the family.
Mr Ellery said he was not sure how much extra information would come forward.
Family and friends attended the court to listen to the hearing today, which lasted just 10 minutes.
At the time of the incident, police said Mrs Howlett suffered a panic attack after witnessing the events. She was taken to Tossa de Mar’s medical centre along with her elder son Thomas, who was treated for hypothermia.
The deaths shocked the community in Market Drayton and events have been held in memory of the pair.
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