Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2023

Musa Konteh

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2023-0426, written 1 Nov 2023. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report1 Nov 2023
Reference2023-0426
DeceasedMusa Konteh
CoronerIan Potter
Coroner areaInner North London
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses publishednone published

The report

Text extracted from the PDF text layer. Reproduced verbatim, including the scan's own layout.

Regulation 28: Prevention of Future Deaths report 

Musa Sidique Konteh – died on 19 March 2023 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: 

1.  Consular Feedback Team 
Consular Directorate 
Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office 
King Charles Street 
London 
SW1A 2AH 

1 

CORONER 

I am Ian Potter, assistant coroner, for the coroner area of Inner North London. 

2 

CORONER’S LEGAL POWERS 

I make this report under paragraph 7, Schedule 5, of the Coroners and 
Justice Act 2009 and Regulations 28 and 29 of the Coroners (Investigations) 
Regulations 2013. 

3 

INVESTIGATION and INQUEST 

On 29 March 2023, an investigation was commenced into the death of MUSA 
SIDIQUE KONTEH, then aged 30 years. The investigation concluded at the 
end of an inquest, heard by me, on 1 November 2023. 

The conclusion of the inquest was accidental death, the medical cause of 
death being: 

1a asphyxia 
1b pulmonary oedema as a consequence of drowning. 

4 

CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

(1) Musa and his girlfriend were staying at a beach resort in Sierra Leone 

on 18/19 March 2023. 

(2) On Sunday 19 March 2023, Musa hired a jet ski from the resort. 
(3) Having gone out on the jet ski alone, Musa failed to return. 
(4) A local eyewitness is said to have seen Musa in the water, but 

believed him to be swimming at the time and thought nothing of it. 
(5) A local search on the afternoon of 19 March 2023, recovered the jet 

ski but did not find Musa. 

(6) On Wednesday 22 March 2023, Musa’s body was found in the water. 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 (7) There was no evidence to suggest that Musa used alcohol prior to 

taking the jet ski out. 

5 

CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the inquest the evidence revealed matters giving rise to 
concern. In my opinion, there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless 
action is taken. In the circumstances, it is my statutory duty to report to you. 

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:-  

(1) Little, if any, health and safety procedures were in place for those 
hiring jet skis. For example: no instructions on the use of the 
emergency engine cut-off were given; no instructions were given on 
any areas to avoid, in the context of an area with many submerged 
rocks; and no lifejackets were supplied to people hiring jet skis. 

(2) The relevant Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office travel 
advice, warns of strong currents and the absence of lifeguards on 
beaches; however, it does not advise travellers that health and safety 
standards may be lower than people may experience in UK. 

6 

ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe 
you have the power to take such action. 

7 

YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of 
this report, namely by 27 December 2023. I, the coroner, may extend the 
period.  

Your response must contain details of action taken or proposed to be taken, 
setting out the timetable for action. Otherwise, you must explain why no 
action is proposed. 

8 

COPIES and PUBLICATION 

I have sent a copy of my report to the Chief Coroner and to the following 
Interested Persons: 

(a) 
(b) 

 (next of kin) 
 (Mr Konteh’s partner at the time). 

I am also under a duty to send the Chief Coroner a copy of your response. 

The Chief Coroner may publish either or both in a complete or redacted or 
summary form. He may send a copy of this report to any person who he 
believes may find it useful or of interest. You may make representations to 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 me, the coroner, at the time of your response, about the release or the 
publication of your response by the Chief Coroner. 

9 

Ian Potter 
HM Assistant Coroner, Inner North London 
1 November 2023

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