Overview

• A post-mortem by Dr Justin Cooke determined Lucy Reed died from asphyxia after inhaling gastric contents as she fought a falling tide at Cleethorpes Beach.
• The two-day inquest at Grimsby Town Hall heard that Reed and her friend, neither strong swimmers, quickly became out of depth and drifted away from the shore.
• Humberside Police, HM Coastguard inshore lifeboats and an air-sea rescue helicopter spent over three hours searching before Reed was winched aboard and airlifted to Hull Royal Infirmary.
• The coroner’s report highlighted the unpredictability of tidal waters off the River Humber and urged bathers to monitor tide times closely.
• Friends and family launched a memorial appeal that has raised more than £1,000 for the RNLI to support coastal safety efforts.