Brit woman drowned in 'intense waves' on Greek holiday as husband tried to save her
A British woman tragically drowned in "intense waves" while on holiday in Greece as her husband desperately tried to save her, an inquest heard.
Emma Jane Slack got into difficulty while swimming in the sea off Corfu on July 9. Her husband tried to save her but she sadly passed away, the brief hearing in Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales, heard. John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, said an inquest was required as her body had been repatriated.
The 54-year-old, a training advisor from Mold, Flintshire, was on holiday with her husband Rob in the resort of Roda, on the north coast of the island when the tragedy happened. Mr Slack tried to rescue her but he, too, got into difficulty.
The coroner said that official documentation received from the Greek authorities referred to "intense wave activity" and the cause of death was given as "drowning", North Wales Live reported. The inquest was adjourned to a date to be fixed.
While Corfu's sea conditions can vary, the Ionian Sea is generally known for calmer waters, especially during the summer. However, rough seas can occur, especially when the Maestral (northwesterly) wind hits, creating moderate to rough conditions, particularly in exposed areas.
On Sunday 20, a British tourist was tragically found dead on his sun lounger on another Greek island after reportedly becoming unwell. The 74-year-old was discovered unconscious on Stalis Beach on Crete by other people at the resort at around 12pm.
Emergency services rushed to the scene and made a desperate bid to revive the man, but unfortunately, their efforts proved unsuccessful. It is understood that he had first gone for a swim before returning to the sun lounger and there are reports he had a "strong feeling" of sickness shortly before his death.
Paramedics from Hellenic National Center of Emergency Care (EKAB) treated the man at the scene and no cause of death has yet been given by the Greek authorities. An autopsy was due to be carried out.
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