Avid fisherman tragically drowns in Devon lake

An avid fisherman tragically drowned while fishing at a lake where he was staying on holiday with his wife, an inquest has heard. Nicholas Keeble, a retired gas engineer, had been enjoying the second week of a fortnight holiday at Yeomadon Farm in Pyworthy, near Holsworthy, when he was found in one of its lakes.

An inquest at Exeter Coroner’s Court today, April 23, heard how the 75-year-old, of Taunton, had gone fishing alone on the morning of September 26, 2023, and was the only one at the lake at the time of his death. Concerns for his welfare were raised when the owner of the farm spotted an overturned rowing boat - not for the use of fishermen - in the water and a floating rod.

Mr Keeble, who had a fear of water following a traumatic childhood incident and was unable to swim, was later found floating in the murky waters of the lake. The inquest was unable to conclude why he entered the water but it was said to be more likely that he had lost his rod after catching a large fish and had possibly tried to retrieve it to dislodge the hook from the fish's mouth.

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His death has prompted Mr Keeble's wife Diane to warn others about the dangers of fishing alone or without a buoyancy aid. In a statement read out during the hearing, she told how she had last seen him on the day of his death at around 11am after he left their holiday lodge to resume fishing.

She told how she was making their lunch when around 2pm the owner of the farm came to their cottage to check if Mr Keeble was with her as he had been unable to locate him. He returned to the lake on his quad bike and called the emergency services and while Mrs Keeble was at the lake she saw her husband's body floating in the water. He was rescued by fire crews but was unable to be revived.

Mrs Keeble told how he had a 'genuine fear of water' after falling into a canal when he was a child and becoming trapped before being rescued by his grandfather. Mr Keeble, who was born in Gloucester, worked as a self-employed gas engineer with his son Ted and although he had passed the business on to him to retire, he was said to have helped him out on a regular basis.

Mrs Keeble recalled how they had met in 1973 while on holiday in the Blackdown Hills and married three years later and had two children together. He was said to have enjoyed a passion for motorbikes and rode across Europe and the UK and was also a cricket player and fan.

His other big passion was said to be fishing which he would enjoy doing at least once a week. Mrs Keeble described him as an experienced and competent fisherman and said one of his favourite places to fish was Pyeworthy which they visited at least once or twice a year.

Yeomadon Farm, set within 130 acres of farmland, is home to four self-catering holiday cottages and four coarse fishing lakes - all situated within 200m of the self-catering cottages. - contain carp up to 20lbs and small tench, roach, bream and crucian carp.

Mrs Keeble said: "He was very happy to relax quietly at a lakeside and watch nature unfold around him."

She added: "When he was fishing he could not bear the thought of a fish hook lodged in their mouth and would always do his utmost to remove it."

She surmised that it would account for him attempting to retrieve his rod to possibly dislodge it from the fish's mouth and that he then possibly got into difficulty and drowned.

Paying tribute to him, Mrs Keeble said: "He was a good man; quiet, honest, trustworthy and a good son, brother, friend and a wonderful husband, father and grandfather loved by all and will be missed by many."

Police evidence read out during the inquest confirmed there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding his death. It was noted that the overturned rowing boat found in the water belonged to the owner of the farm and was stored among brambles as it was only used by him for maintenance purposes.

It was added that also in the water was one of Mr Keeble's walking boots, rod and hat. An investigation of the scene found one of the fishing rod rests Mr Keeble had been using appeared to have into the fallen water and was 'half stuck' in the muddly clay slope of the lake.

However, police said they were unable to find any disturbance along the river banks. A fishing diary Mr Keeble noted he had last caught a fish at 12.30pm that day.

Detective sergeant Ben Cartwright said there were several potential hypotheses which could have led to his death including being pulled into the water by the fish, having attempted to retrieve the rod by entering the water and using the boat as a buoyancy aid, having been in the boat which flipped upside down in the water or having suffered a medical episode and slipped into the water.

DS Cartwright added: "It is also possible he stepped into mud which pulled his boot off and he then got into difficulty." He concluded: "I’m open-minded about events."

Mr Keeble's GP told in a statement how he had suffered a heart attack four years ago prior to his death and had made a full recovery after being fitted with a stent. He also received a knee replacement five years prior but his mobility and health were described as being 'good.'

A post-mortem examination confirmed the cause of his death was drowning. The report added: "It is entirely possible ischemic heart disease could have caused a medical episode."

Recording a narrative conclusion, Alison Longhorn, area coroner for Exeter and greater Devon, said: "Nick drowned having fallen into a lake while fishing. It was known to be home to some very large fish.

"It is possible he caught one and was pulled into the water and was not able to swim which could have caused him to drown. It is also possible he suffered a medical episode which led to his drowning.

"The truth of the matter is we will never know what caused the fall, but it is more probable he hooked a fish and was trying to unhook it or retrieve his rod and found himself in difficulty and drowned, or had a medical episode and drowned."

Speaking after the inquest to raise awareness about the dangers of solo fishing, Mrs Keeble said: "I would like to warn others of the dangers of fishing alone or without a buoyancy aid. If someone else had been there it might not have happened. Nick liked fishing alone but it just shows how dangerous it can be."

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