'Selfish' drivers delayed response to drowning girl

A significant story is unfolding on the international scene. 'Selfish' drivers delayed response to drowning girl2 hours ago Share Save Add as preferred on GoogleAndy GillNorth West Cars struggled to pass along Kirklake Road in Formby due to parked carsA coroner has condemned "selfish" drivers after illegally parked cars delayed emergency vehicles from reaching a beach where a 15-year-old girl had drowned. However, an inquest heard there was no evidence the delays contributed to the death of Chiedza Nyanjowa after she got into difficulties on Formby Beach, Merseyside, on 25 May. Chiedza, who could not swim, got out of her depth while fetching a volleyball from the sea while playing with her 11-year-old cousin.

Coroner Elizabeth Wheeler recorded a conclusion of death by misadventure but added: "I am concerned that selfish and illegal parking can have an impact of delaying emergency vehicles which can have implications for future deaths. "The inquest, at Bootle Town Hall in Sefton, heard Chiedza, from Cheshire, had gone to stay with an aunt and two cousins in Bolton, Greater Manchester, for the half-term holiday. They went to the beach at Formby, which was packed due to the hot weather on Bank Holiday Monday.

The Details

The court heard Chiedza and her cousin went to play volleyball at the water's edge. Merseyside PoliceA coroner found the delays did not contribute to Chiedza Nyanjowa's death, but raised concerns about future casesCoroner's officer Emma Donaldson told the inquest the children were warned not to go into the water above shin height because Chiedza could not swim. The youngsters followed the shoreline as the tide was going out and, the inquest heard, Chiedza's aunt lost sight of them due to the distance and the volume of people on the beach.

Donaldson said when the ball went into the water, the two children went in after it. "The depth increased quickly, reaching her cousin's neck and Chiedza's chin," she said. "Chiedza tried to climb on her cousin's shoulders, submerging her.

"The young girl told Chiedza to hold on to the ball as a flotation aid and swam back to shore. The inquest heard it took 15 minutes to raise help and Chiedza was unconscious by the time members of the public pulled from the water. Julie SwiftPolice and ambulance vehicles were also impeded by parked cars Two off-duty nurses and an off-duty doctor began performing CPR on the beach before the teenager was taken to Alder Hey Children's Hospital by air ambulance.

What Experts Say

She died from her injuries four days later. Wheeler commended the bystanders who had tried to help Chiedza, but was scathing of drivers who had parked illegally on the narrow roads near the beach. She said: "I record my condemnation of selfish drivers who park illegally simply for the sake of having to avoid walking a short distance.

"However, Wheeler did not write a Prevention of Future Deaths report, a legal document coroners have the right to send to organisations or individuals if they believe action must be taken to prevent loss of life.

The development has drawn wide international attention, with diplomatic circles watching closely.