salcombe yacht club accident

Dearly-loved son died after 20ft fall at party in Devon

Ben Jefferson, 21, tragically died after losing his balancing on railings

• 16:00, 24 JUN 2024

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A university student and 'all round sportsman' tragically suffered a fatal fall at a party in Devon after 'impulsively' balancing on railings before toppling forward and plunging around 20ft down into an alleyway below. Ben Jefferson was with his family for a weekend away of socialising and celebration on Saturday, April 16, 2022, an inquest heard.

In a statement, his dad Duncan Jefferson told how the 21-year-old, who was born and raised in Leicester, had enjoyed a gap year in the USA before studying sports science at the University of Derbyshire and was coming towards the end of his third year.

On April 16, he and his family drove to a holiday home in Salcombe, having stayed the previous night in a hotel in Exeter , to attend a 60th anniversary party. The weekend coincided with rugby event Salcombe Rugby Club's Easter 7's.

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That afternoon, his dad told how he and his son had gone to The Fortescue Inn and The Victoria Inn in Salcombe for a rugby event meeting and to watch the rugby from 4.30pm and had been drinking. They went to the party at Salcombe Yacht Club on Cliff Road at 7.30pm which was attended by around 40 people where they carried on drinking.

The inquest held at Exeter Coroner’s Court today, June 24, heard evidence from bar staff who described Ben as having been slurring his words, 'staggering', leaning on to items to steady himself, had smashed a glass when he accidentally dropped it, and appeared to have 'peaked'. He was refused to be served any more alcohol but it was said it was not known if he carried on drinking.

At 10.15pm, Ben went outside onto the patio area of the yacht club which had metal railings along almost the entire length of the perimeter wall, apart from a small gap at one end. At the railings close to the gap, CCTV footage lasting 10 seconds showed Ben dancing with his back against the railings, which were chest height.

He then faced them and put his hands on top of the railings to push himself and swing one leg over them. After lifting his other leg off the ground, a member of the party was heard shouting at him asking what he was doing.

Ben was seen looking down over the edge of the railings and lost his balance causing him to topple forward and fall down onto concrete below. An ambulance arrived 20 minutes later and he was taken to Derriford Hospital where he was operated on after being diagnosed with a s evere traumatic head injury.

Despite the best efforts of doctors, his injuries were not survivable and he passed away on April 20, 2022. Consent was given for organ donation. The medical cause of his death was traumatic brain injury due to a fall from height.

The inquest heard that although Ben had not fallen through the small gap in the metal railings, since his death Salcombe Yacht Club 'urgently' installed additional safety railings so that they now run along the entire edge of the perimeter wall to prevent any further accidents.

Assistant coroner Mike Bird said that the amount of alcohol Ben had consumed within a six-hour period was 'clearly a factor' in his death and 'may have' affected his judgement.

Describing the moment when Ben balanced on the railings, he said: "There is no evidence why he did this. It was probably a spur-of-the-moment, spontaneous, unplanned thing consistent with high-spirited behaviour in the evening.

"It was a party and plenty of alcohol had been drunk."

Recording a conclusion of misadventure and offering his condolences to his family, Mr Bird said: "It was an intentional act. It was Ben's decision to push himself on top of the railings.

"It was a choice made, whether unwise or influenced by alcohol. It is not for us to judge but it was a reckless thing to do, dangerous and it went wrong. Clearly, he did not intend for the outcome."

Following Ben's death, an obituary notice was posted online by his family stating he had passed away following a 'tragic accident'.

It read: "Dearly loved son of Duncan and Angela. Irreplaceable brother to Emily and Sophie and their partners. Beloved and much-missed nephew, cousin and grandson.

"All round sportsman, especially his lifelong passion for rugby. Ben lived life to the full, touching everyone who met him with his vivacious and gregarious approach to life. Rest in peace darling. Always loved and never forgotten."

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Newquay helicopter coastguard paramedic says Salcombe yacht rescue was most dangerous of her career

Mark Morrow and Deborah Mitchell were hoping to start a new life in Malta, but a vicious storm almost ended their dreams in a few terrifying moments

• 13:18, 11 JUL 2022
• Updated 13:37, 11 JUL 2022

A hero helicopter paramedic who put her life on the line to rescue a couple stricken on a yacht about to be broken up by pounding waves has described it as the scariest she has ever been involved in. Mark Morrow and Deborah Mitchell were sailing to Gibraltar for the trip of a lifetime and were due to tie the knot in the Mediterranean.

The couple, from Essex were happy, carefree and in love and ready to celebrate a new beginning in the British Overseas Territory after a stressful 12 months. They had just moved into their yacht - the Lady Rosemary - before disaster struck.

They were sailing past the South Devon coast when their trip of a lifetime took a turn for the worst and both nearly lost their lives as their yacht became stricken on rocks and took such a pounding in stormy seas that they feared being sent to their doom as their boat started disintegrating around them.

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Mark and Deborah found themselves gasping for air, desperately clinging on as the terrifying scrapes and groans of their sailing boat being torn apart by the destructive force of the sea filled them with utter terror. Their yacht was driven into the teeth of Salcombe cliffs and as it broke apart, it slowly dawned on Mark and Deborah that their lives could be about to end.

Then hope came in the red and white shape of the HM Coastguard helicopter from Newquay , whose brave crew put their own lives in danger to rescue the Hullbridge couple.

“It was sheer relief,” Mark said. “It was the most incredible feeling to see the helicopter arriving. I thought we were goners. If the coastguard paramedic hadn’t been willing to risk her own life to rescue us that day, we would have died.”

Captain Ivan Hamilton, winch paramedic Abi Wild and winch operator Ian Copley from Cornwall were called out to the incident last August after receiving a distress call involving a yacht with two people on board which had been swept onto rocks near Salcombe and was at risk of breaking up while being pounded by huge waves. The crew of the yacht were in a life-threatening situation and desperately needed help.

Arriving on scene 17 minutes later, the crew of the helicopter could see the rough seas constantly washing over the deck of the yacht. Capt Hamilton tasked winch paramedic Abi to be winched on board the stricken boat. On landing, Abi was immediately engulfed by waves and was even submerged under water several times, requiring great physical exertion to avoid being swept away once she was onboard the stricken vessel.

Due to the extreme conditions, it was difficult to communicate with Mark and Deborah as they sheltered the best way they could inside the cockpit. Abi was eventually able to place rescue strops around them and manoeuvre them into position for rescue. Always ensuring the winch cable to the helicopter did not become tangled in the yacht’s broken rigging, Abi gave the signal to hoist and in one lift, she and the crew were winched to safety. Once on board the aircraft, before tending to her own physical injuries from the rescue, Abi administered medical attention to the casualties during the flight to hospital.

She said: “They were the worst conditions I’ve ever faced, and probably the most dangerous rescue I’ve been involved in.”

Mark said the engine on the Transworld 41 vessel had been brand new and the couple sailed along the coast with no expectation of issues, even as conditions worsened. As they reached the picturesque and jagged coastline at Salcombe, the engine failed.

Mark said: “It just stopped. I kept trying to get it going but it was dead. So I tried to get the sails up but the wind was blowing us straight at the rocks. I realised pretty quickly that we were in trouble and that I was going to struggle to sail out of it.”

Deborah put out a PanPan call for help as Mark dropped the anchor, hoping to keep the vessel in open water and prevent it falling victim to the sharp teeth of Salcombe’s cliffs. But the sea was too strong to hold anchor and the sailing yacht drifted on to the rocks, prompting a Mayday from the Lady Rosemary’s occupants.

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Mark added: “She hit the outer rocks and it was just awful. It was terrifying to feel the boat scraping and tearing along the rocks, knowing the boat was all that was keeping us out of the water. The waves lifted us right over those outer rocks and into the middle of it all, it was the scariest moment of my life. I was terrified for my girlfriend, as she isn’t an experienced sailor.

“The waves were relentless, they just kept coming. The boat sunk even lower in the water and so those waves were crashing over the top of us, it was so hard to hold on. We could see a lifeboat but knew they couldn’t get to us. I thought we were done for. We were lucky to still be on the boat when the helicopter arrived.”

He said neither he nor Deborah were aware the search and rescue helicopter from Newquay had been dispatched, as the radio had quickly flooded and became unusable.

“It was the biggest relief, it’s hard to explain what it meant to see the helicopter coming,” Mark said. “We had nearly been washed off the boat several times and we were at our limit. It was so hard to hold on, the power of the water was so strong. We were so exhausted and cold by that time, it’s really scary to think what could have happened if they arrived just five minutes later.”

Winch paramedic Abi, who along with her crewmates received a Billy Deacon SAR Memorial Trophy for bravery from Robert Courts, Parliamentary Under Secretary of State in the Department for Transport, at the Air League’s Honours and Awards Reception Ceremony at the House of Commons, added: “They were exhausted, you could see it in their eyes, they were close to giving up. The yacht had started breaking up and I knew that we needed to take them both at the same time, there wasn’t time for anything else.

“The conditions looked rough but it wasn’t until I got down there that I realised how bad they were. It took me several attempts to even get to them, with the wind and the waves, I couldn’t grab on. It’s incredible that they managed to.”

Maritime Minister Robert Courts said: “Abi, Niall, and Ginge epitomise the spirit of the maritime sector, and their bravery is an inspiration to us all.” George Rawlinson, the Award Committee chairman, added: “Despite great personal risk and receiving an absolute battering from the elements, Abi Wild’s relentless perseverance ensured a successful outcome was achieved in 2021. This is a testament to her bravery and professionalism. Abi is greatly deserving of this award however, we must also recognise the pilots and rear crew of the helicopter, who were integral to her success.

“In 2020, Niall faced being submerged by breaking surf and his superb teamwork with winch operator Ginge was essential. Their lifesaving skill and determination was exemplary, and they too thoroughly deserve this award.”

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Salcombe Yacht Club welcomes members, their guests and visiting yachtsmen to the first-class sailing, excellent facilities and picturesque scenery of Salcombe Harbour.

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National 12s at Salcombe Yacht Club

Salcombe Estuary is situated in an area of outstanding natural beauty within the South Hams. The beautiful tree lined creeks with the wonderful wildlife they support, provide idyllic scenery for the perfect sail.

Racing in the Estuary is very tactical, due to the many tidal eddies and varied winds. These factors combined mean you never sail the same race, twice.

Salcombe Yacht Club boasts one of the largest Twelve fleets, exceeding twenty boats with two-thirds on the start line most weeks. The boats vary from an old Morgan Giles design (N446) to more modern boats such as Freak Outs, Final Chapters, Design Eights and a Feeling Foolish soon to be launched.

Every year we race from mid-March to New Years Day. For the majority of the year the racing is on Wednesday evenings and Saturday afternoons, except in the winter when we race Sunday mornings. During the summer, local race-traing is organised on Sundays.

The club offers class racing for N12s, Solos, Salcombe Yawls and Toppers. There is also a large handicap fleet.

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Address: Cliff Road, Salcombe, Devon, TQ8 8JQ

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Yachtsman dies as yacht rolls and sinks

• February 5, 2007

Crewmember aboard a 35ft Max Fun 35 dies after yacht loses keel off Salcombe 5/2/07

A crewmember aboard a 35ft yacht has been killed during a freak accident off Salcombe, Devon.

According to early reports a 35ft Max Fun 35 – Holligan Five – capsized and sank minutes after its keel snapped off in the early hours of Saturday morning in relatively flat conditions. The other four members of the crew, aged between 18 and 61, managed to fire a distress signal and scramble into a life raft before being rescued by the German coasterLaarbefore being transferred by helicopter to Plymouth hospital.

The Torbay RNLI attempted salvage yesterday but worsening conditions (east-north-easterly Force 5-6) with a 2-3m sea forced the team to abandon. Commenting David Ham – Torbay Lifeboat Station Operations Manager told yachtingworld.com this morning: “We originally went out on the search but at the end of the day once we found her we had to give the rescue a go. But it became difficult and we were unable to achieve a sound footing, there was nothing to tie onto because she is upside down. So with the coastguards agreement we gave up and left her where she was. The coastguards are coordinating the salvage of the yacht.”

An inquiry is now underway by the Marine Accident Investigation Branch into how the structure of the yacht could have failed so catastrophically.

More news when we have it.

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Russian stuff blowing up: Moscow yacht club goes up in flames

Big ammo dump bavovna

🔥 Explosion of a russian ammunition depot. Pokrovsk direction. pic.twitter.com/Oc9BaqcsHD — ✙ Albina Fella ✙ 🇺🇦🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪🇵🇱🇺🇸🇨🇦🇦🇺 (@albafella1) June 22, 2024

Smoke on the water, the fire in the sky.

Yachts go up in smoke. Could be sabotage or could be insurance fraud or could be another careless smoker.

“ARSON in a yacht club near Moscow. More than a dozen yachts and boats burned downs.” – Baza 👉 Russian ships are racing to join the Moskva. pic.twitter.com/VeErNGzT6s — Jason Jay Smart (@officejjsmart) June 21, 2024

Sucks when you can’t even get a moped through with a six-pack of water.

The whole road is about 15 km and you can take dozens of similar photos on it. Thanks to the successful operation of drones, Russians are sitting in tree lines and  forests with a minimum of ammunition, food and water. There were cases when we destroyed a moped with which Russians tried to bring a pack of 6 bottles of water to the position.”

Bukhanka graveyard on the Kharkiv front: “The cutting of Russian logistical routes is probably one of the key reasons why Russian offensive in the Kharkiv region got bogged down. In one photo there are 5 burnt Bukhankas. The whole road is about 15 km and you can take dozens of… pic.twitter.com/j1xeg4tOhr — Special Kherson Cat 🐈🇺🇦 (@bayraktar_1love) June 22, 2024

The beatings will continue until morale improves.

🔞 Kadyrovite beats Kadyrovite. Education in the ruzzian army. pic.twitter.com/Z43RJsd2c2 — ✙ Albina Fella ✙ 🇺🇦🇬🇧🇫🇷🇩🇪🇵🇱🇺🇸🇨🇦🇦🇺 (@albafella1) June 22, 2024

Speaking of declining morale.

According to "The Northern Channel", Russian military police have been detached to the northern Kharkiv front to suppress defections and that the highest risk of deserters is in the area of #Hyboke north of #Lyptsi where the AFU is making gains. "The military police arrived… pic.twitter.com/iiP6n69EyJ — OSINT (Uri Kikaski) 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@UKikaski) June 18, 2024

Russia continues to round up migrants workers for cannon fodder duty in Ukraine.

Barnaul is in Siberia south of Novosibirsk.

Russia: FSB conducted a massive raid, lining up over 200 people outside night clubs and bars in Barnaul, near Novosibirsk. Some were severely beaten and gunshots were also heard. pic.twitter.com/GnCigcBE8S — Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) June 22, 2024

45 migrants were forced at gunpoint to sit under the scorching sun This is how Russian law enforcers conducted another raid on migrants at a construction site in Voronezh. Those who are found to have a Russian passport are often taken to the military recruitment center. pic.twitter.com/vIDBiSWGRH — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 22, 2024

It’s basically an armored taxi.

In this video a Ukrainian soldier breaks down why this T-62 is a pile of shit.

The Ukrainian Army released an extensive video of the infamous Russian turtle tanks. They are far worse than expected. Underneath that garbage is an old T-62M. The gun is not operational, there is no ammunition and the turret is locked in place. The panels are sheet metal… pic.twitter.com/s33mm5zg5w — (((Tendar))) (@Tendar) June 22, 2024

Another 1,110 Russian soldiers.

Russian losses per 22/06/24 reported by the Ukrainian general staff +1110 men +8 tanks +11 APVs +28 artillery pieces +15 UAVs +4 cruise missiles pic.twitter.com/5Ul2ZRCfB0 — NOELREPORTS 🇪🇺 🇺🇦 (@NOELreports) June 22, 2024

At least 4 285 Russian officers have been eliminated in Ukraine, +27 since last update. Minimum losses since 24 February 2022. Each name is confirmed by a Russian source via funeral notices, obituaries, graves, news platforms, monuments and memorial plaques. pic.twitter.com/KDBMXg72CZ — KIU ✪ Russian Officers killed in Ukraine 🇨🇿🇺🇦 (@KilledInUkraine) June 22, 2024

It reminds me of the old German V1 rocket

Breaking: Nikolayevsky Vanekreported reported on his TG Channel that the AFU has recovered remnants of an Iranian Atash-1/2 jet-powered OWUAV which was shot down and crash-landed near the town of #Ochakiv , Mykolaiv Oblast. The Atash drones are jet powered and appear to be cruise… pic.twitter.com/pk86jtAGin — OSINT (Uri Kikaski) 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@UKikaski) June 22, 2024

Russians continue to shell Kharkiv.

The Russians dropped 4 x FAB UMPC's on the center of Kharkiv earlier today. Currently, there are 2 dead and 23 injured but the debris are still being cleared to search for more victims. #OSINT #UkraineWar #UkraineKrieg #Ukraine #Russia #NAFO REPOST APPRECIATED!!! pic.twitter.com/TjhXf2BNnu — OSINT (Uri Kikaski) 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@UKikaski) June 22, 2024

The moment of the guided aerial bomb hit in Kharkiv The number of wounded has increased to 37. https://t.co/CTXKu85FC3 pic.twitter.com/1lduAfIJ3S — Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) June 22, 2024

No, no, no. We weren’t trying to hit the residential building. We were trying to hit the hospital.

Russian propagandists now claim their target in Kharkiv was not a residential building but a police hospital. Their open admission of calls for war crimes is truly outrageous. Watch this and imagine it’s your Saturday afternoon pic.twitter.com/tP2BLSUoT8 — Maria Avdeeva (@maria_avdv) June 22, 2024

Well, what can ya do? You can’t hide in your basement 24/7.

Residents of the Ukrainian city of Kharkiv shock with their calmness People continue to relax by the pool while explosions are heard on the horizon. A residential apartment building was damaged as a result of the attack. 18 people were injured, 2 dead. pic.twitter.com/NjgwsCbIGz — NEXTA (@nexta_tv) June 22, 2024

Russia not only commits war crimes like bombing a school, they posted video about it.

Russian sources are posting a video of what they describe as the "second use" of a FAB-3000 M-54 S UMPC in the #Liptsy area. Geolocation: 50.193348, 36.436196 The structure is the Slobozhanskaya School which is closed as civilians have been evacuated from the entire area. The… pic.twitter.com/2GUgssOi5I — OSINT (Uri Kikaski) 🇺🇸 🇨🇦 🇬🇧 🇺🇦 🇮🇱 (@UKikaski) June 21, 2024

This attack is in Ivano-Frankivsk, which is southeast of Lviv in western Ukraine.

The aftermath of the night attack on Ivano-Frankivsk Oil and Gas University In addition, 14 buildings, a lyceum, a kindergarten were damaged in the city. pic.twitter.com/Iz5WRyGRxZ — Maria Drutska 🇺🇦 (@maria_drutska) June 22, 2024

In  this video  a Russian soldier is wounded by an FPV drone. While he is lying in the road and his comrade walks up to him, he motions to his head. His comrade then finishes him off with a shot to the head.

Life is brutal in the Russian Army.

You can believe that this is the result of climate change if you like, but clearly this is the wrath of God at work. Expect to see locust swarms and frogs next.

🌪️ Russia: Tornadoes in Moscow injured over 40 people. Experts say the frequency and intensity of the phenomenon is increasing due to climate change. pic.twitter.com/KjpDe2Qd8t — Igor Sushko (@igorsushko) June 21, 2024

Lukashenko says being president of Belarus is “fiddle-faddle” and that he dreams of milking cows.

Lukashenko told how he milks cows in his dreams. Also, during a visit to a dairy complex, he said the best job is in agriculture, and the presidency is fiddle-faddle. pic.twitter.com/AwpScZES7F — Anton Gerashchenko (@Gerashchenko_en) June 22, 2024

This is why Ukraine will eventually win.

A Russian drone was taken out by Ukrainian EW, local people grabbed it and repaired it and sent it to the ukrainian army. Hah. pic.twitter.com/CRN6SgE3Vy — Andrew Perpetua (@AndrewPerpetua) June 22, 2024

Rest in peace.

💔 In Kherson region, our colleague Oleksandr Chekhun was killed in an enemy attack while on duty at a checkpoint As a result of a Russian drone attack, an inspector of the patrol police response sector of the Kherson Police Department No. 1, a senior police lieutenant, was… pic.twitter.com/GTX7nTxG7a — Andrew Perpetua (@AndrewPerpetua) June 22, 2024

No peppers? No green beans?

Because they are #Ukrainians ❗️😜🤣 The Ukrainian military man showed his trenches, where onions, cucumbers, dill , tomatoes are planted evenly and neatly... This nation cannot be defeated❗️☝️ pic.twitter.com/aeLupjZMbu — Olena_Wave🇺🇦 (@OlenaWave) June 22, 2024

Life goes on in Kyiv.

One more video from the festival in Kyiv for you. To tell you the truth, I meant to walk in the botanical garden and enjoy the nature. But it was a festival there 🙈 oops. Perhaps you will ask why the girls put the ribbons on the tree. I don’t know. Maybe it is some tradition… pic.twitter.com/tMaoP68LGa — Yaroslava Antipina (@strategywoman) June 22, 2024

Soledar needs a new home.

Meet Soledar, a cat who lost his home in the bombed city he’snamed after. Now he lives at a military strongpoint, nestled btwn tires, with 80th Brigade soldiers as family. Stressed by constant shelling, he needs evacuation from frontline. This war cat seeks a peaceful home. pic.twitter.com/ddyMNLyIRj — Euromaidan Press (@EuromaidanPress) June 22, 2024

Man’s best friend and his backup vocals.

Peaceful night to all good people 😴💤 And let Russia burn. pic.twitter.com/Vy9PCw1QJU — 𝐀𝐧𝐧𝐚 𝐊𝐎𝐌𝐒𝐀 | 🇪🇺🇫🇷🇵🇱🇺🇦 (@tweetforAnna) June 21, 2024