Holidaymaker dies after getting caught by tide on day out with granddaughter

-Credit:SWNS/Newsquest
-Credit:SWNS/Newsquest


A holidaymaker tragically lost his life after being caught out by the tide while exploring a shipwreck with his grandchild, an inquest has heard. Raymond Mills, 74, was on a day trip to Brancaster Beach in Norfolk, where he had meticulously planned his visit to the SS Vina.

However, he encountered difficulties in the strong currents near the vessel - a notorious area known as Wreck Sands - and vanished beneath the water. His granddaughter managed to return to safety and a search operation was initiated.

Mr Mills, from Milton Keynes, Bucks, was discovered in the water by a helicopter approximately an hour later. He was airlifted to Norwich Airport for transfer to an ambulance but was sadly pronounced dead shortly after the aircraft landed.

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During an inquest into his death this week at Norfolk Coroner's Court, Mr Mills' family called for additional safety measures at the beach, owned by the National Trust. They urged for the wreck to be removed and for more warning signs highlighting the dangers to be installed.

The hearing was informed how safety-conscious Mr Mills had thoroughly researched his expedition to the SS Vina. The ship, which sank in 1944 while being used for RAF target practice, lies about 800 metres off the main beach, visible at low tide.

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The retired engineer and his wife Jacqueline were enjoying the first day of their holiday in Norfolk with their three grandchildren.

The group, who were staying in Hunstanton, had taken a day trip to Brancaster on August 17, 2024. At the inquest, Mrs Mills, a retired teaching assistant, said: "Ray was greatly looking forward to taking our three grandchildren away to Norfolk."

"He had promised they would try and see the shipwreck on Brancaster beach."

"He researched the tide times, aware that the wreck was only visible for short times."

"Ray was super careful about any undertaking, always finding a solution to any problem and would never knowingly put himself or anyone else in danger."

A statement from Jordan Grebby of HM Coastguard reported that a 999 call was received at around 1:30 pm from a bystander who hadn't witnessed the incident but said Mr Mills was last seen opposite the wreck.

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A further 999 call was received from another member of the public who was with a young child - believed to be Mr Mills' granddaughter - at almost 2 pm. Minutes later, Mrs Mills contacted 999, confirming her husband had gone to look at the wreck with the child before the child returned to the shore "in a panic".

Mrs Mills stated that while he could swim, he was "not a very good swimmer and was not overly familiar with the Brancaster area". At around 2:30 pm, the coastguard's helicopter located Mr Mills and recovered him from the water.

Life-saving efforts were initiated on board and he was airlifted to Norwich Airport. A critical care team from the East Anglian Air Ambulance awaited his arrival, but Mr Mills was sadly pronounced dead at the scene.

Mrs Mills shared her heartache with the court, saying: "Ray was my rock. We'd been together for 53 years and married almost 49 of those."

She reminisced about their life together: "He retired in January 2018, and we’d hoped to have many more happy years together."

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Mrs Mills spoke fondly of her husband's skills and passions: "He was an engineer and his practical skills knew no bounds."

She added, "The high point of any day was getting a visit from the grandchildren, who he absolutely adored."

Reflecting on his health, she noted: "His heath was generally good, with some of the usual problems associated with getting older."

She admired his determination, stating: "He would never let any difficulties stop him doing what he wanted to do."

Area coroner Samantha Goward read from a post-mortem report by consultant histopathologist Dr Xenia Tyler, which suggested that Mr Mills had a heart condition possibly contributing to the tragedy. Mrs Goward detailed Dr Tyler's findings of atherosclerosis in Mr Mills' main coronary artery.

The report clarified: "Although this causes narrowing of the [arteries], it is not sufficient to be considered severe."

It continued, explaining the potential impact of cold water: "Exposure to cold water, however, may well have caused a spasm of this artery, producing further narrowing... in turn causing a fatal cardiac dysrhythmia."

"It is not possible to determine the exact time of death in relation to the disappearance of the deceased beneath the surface of the water."

"It is therefore possible that drowning also played a part in causing death."

Mrs Goward described Mr Mills as "a careful gentleman who wouldn’t take risks" and remarked, "It does seem to me, on the balance of probabilities, that the cold water caused some sort of issue with Ray’s heart."

"That, combined with going under the water, led to an element of drowning being a contributing factor."

She concluded his death was due to an "accident caused by underlying natural causes".

Mr Mill's wife has called for the removal of the SS Vina, stating: "It is abundantly clear to me that the very real dangers of the wreck area are not clearly signed."

"Much more needs to be done warning the public of this. Maybe holiday resorts should make visitors aware just how fatal the wreck area can be."

She added, "I think the wreck should be totally removed, taking away forever this incredibly dangerous attraction, thereby ensuring no other family has to live with the same tragedy our family has endured."

The National Trust presented photographs of warning signs at the beach to the coroner, but the family insists they saw only one on the tragic day, which simply advised not to feed the birds. Mrs Mills stated that the signage at the site provided "not sufficient for warnings".

Caroline Mills, the daughter-in-law of the deceased and mother of the young girl who accompanied Mr Mills to the wreck, told the inquest: "He was a very careful person who would never have taken any risks, and - from what he was saying to my daughter - he was panicking that he maybe he had gotten into a situation that was beyond his ability."

"So I think he’d have been looking out for things like signs and warnings. And if there had been a life buoy on the boat, he may have considered [using] it."

Mrs Goward stated she would be writing to the National Trust for clarification and may issue a Prevention of Future Deaths report. The National Trust previously commented: "We’re mindful that Brancaster Beach does not have a lifeguard presence and is a beach that experiences a fast-flowing tidal range, with potential hazards in the water such as the SS Vina shipwreck and wartime relics."