Prevention of Future Deaths reports · 2024

Andrew Story

Regulation 28 report to prevent future deaths, reference 2024-0357, written 3 Jul 2024. A coroner writes one of these when an inquest reveals a risk that could cause further deaths unless something changes.

Date of report3 Jul 2024
Reference2024-0357
DeceasedAndrew Story
CoronerJacqueline Devonish
Coroner areaCheshire
CategoryOther related deaths
Sourcejudiciary.uk record · original PDF
Responses published1

The report

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

Regulation 28: REPORT TO PREVENT FUTURE DEATHS 

NOTE:  This form is to be used after an inquest. 

REGULATION 28 REPORT TO PREVENT DEATHS 

THIS REPORT IS BEING SENT TO: Greek authorities via FCDO. 

1  CORONER 

I am Ms Jacqueline Devonish, Senior Coroner for the coroner area of Cheshire 

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 05 January 2024 I commenced an investigation into the death of Andrew James STORY 
aged 56.  The investigation concluded at the end of the inquest on 26 June 2024.  The 
conclusion of the inquest was that: 

Accident 

4  CIRCUMSTANCES OF THE DEATH 

On 12 October 2023, 56 year old Andrew Story went for a swim in the sea in Rethymno 
whilst on holiday in Crete. He was only gone for a few minutes when a bystander was seen 
undertaking CPR on him, on the beach. A post mortem conducted in Greece offered a cause 
of death as drowning in sea water. A UK post mortem identified drowning but also left 
ventricular hypertrophy. Mr Story was taken away by ambulance but was sadly confirmed 
deceased thereafter. 

5  CORONER’S CONCERNS 

During the course of the investigation my inquiries 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: 'It was understood that the Greek Coroner 
had informed bereaved family members that the sea was particularly rough in Rethymno, 
Crete and had no lifeguards on duty between 31 August and the end of the summer 
season. This coincided with tourist season making the use of that beach and sea for 
swimming generally, and particularly unsafe in the absence of red warning markers, signs 
or flags 

6  ACTION SHOULD BE TAKEN 

In my opinion action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you (and/or 
your organisation) have the power to take such action. 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021 

 7  YOUR RESPONSE 

You are under a duty to respond to this report within 56 days of the date of this report, 
namely by August 26, 2024.  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 

I have also sent it to 

who may find it useful or of interest. 

I am also under a duty to send a copy of your response to the Chief Coroner and all 
interested persons who in my opinion should receive it. 

I may also send a copy of your response to any person who I believe may find it useful or 
of interest. 

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  Dated: 03/07/2024 

Jacqueline DEVONISH 
Senior Coroner for 
Cheshire 

Regulation 28 – After Inquest 
Document Template Updated 30/07/2021

Responses

1 response published against this report on judiciary.uk. A response is a body's written reply to the coroner's concerns; publication is at the discretion of the Chief Coroner's office, so an absent response does not mean nobody replied.

Response from Fcdo (PDF)
Subject:     FW: [EXTERNAL] Missing Responses from Government Departments
Sent:    
From:    
To:    

05/11/2024, 08:18:48

Regulation28reports

Good Morning,

Thank you for your e-mail.

I can confirm that this response is still outstanding.  We received the following communication on the 30th July, but have
had nothing since:

“Thank you for your email enclosing the Senior Coroners Regulation 28 Report. I am sorry for the delay in
responding. I confirm receipt of the report, and that this has been transmitted, via the Foreign, Commonwealth
and Development Office (FCDO) Coroner Liaison Officer, to the British Consulate in Crete for onwards
transmission to the relevant Greek authorities.

Whilst I can confirm the transmission, the FCDO cannot guarantee the Greek authorities will respond to the
coroner’s report by the 26th August 2024, if at all. Please let me know if you require anything further.”

Best Wishes

  – Coroner’s Officer

Cheshire Coroner's Court, Museum Street, Warrington, WA1 1JX

Phone: 01606 36 5612 / 3892 | Email:  
Visit www.cheshire.police.uk | Follow @cheshirepolice on Twitter | Like Cheshire Police on Facebook

From: 
Sent: 05 November 2024 08:14
To: 
Subject: FW: [EXTERNAL] Missing Responses from Government Departments

FYI

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 Could you please confirm this is still the case, or send the relevant responses before I contact them. If they have been granted an
extension please do let me know.

The deceased this applies to are:

Andrew Story

Cheshire

Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office

Thank you for your assistance in this matter.

Kind regards,
Olivia

Olivia Adshead
Assistant Private Secretary to the Chief Coroner
Judicial Office
Royal Courts of Justice
www.judiciary.uk

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