A TEENAGER tragically died in front of his horrified fiancee after his kayak suddenly capsized in the river, an inquest heard.
Cory Chilvers, 18, was paddling the inflatable craft for the first time on the Middle Level Drain, near King’s Lynn, Norfolk, when it suddenly overturned.
Cory managed to shout for help but then disappeared beneath the surface with Brianna Webster, 17, desperately raising the alarm from the riverbank.
Brianna, who lived with Cory, said he was not wearing a lifejacket but could swim, the inquest heard.
Emergency services were quickly on the scene along with Cory’s mother Claire Wadham and his step-father Marcus Wadham.
But his body was sadly recovered four days later after emergency services conducted a major search of the river.
Coroner Samantha Goward has now concluded that Cory’s death was an accident at a hearing on Wednesday at Norfolk Coroner’s Court.
A post mortem gave the cause of death as drowning and said that the teenager had not been drinking or taking drugs.
Heartbroken Brianna told the court that Cory had gone out for an initial trial and returned to call his mother from the riverbank as he wanted her to see.
“He began to kayak up the river towards the pumping station,” she told the inquest.
“I walked on the bank.
“All over a sudden I saw the kayak capsize and Cory had disappeared under the water. He was under the water for five to 10 seconds.”
“I started to shout at Cory asking him what he was doing. He did not answer. Then he shouted for help twice. He didn’t look like he was struggling.”
Cory’s mother Claire said the stretch of water where her son died was a popular summer swimming spot for children from the nearby village but there were no signs or life aids, the court heard.
“If a life aid had been available, the outcome could have been different,” she said.
She added drainage boards which control the area’s waterways had been advised to put up adequate signage in 2003 but the Middle Level Commissioners (MLC) had not done so.
At the time of his death, Cory’s mother said his passing at such a young age had torn the family apart as he had everything to live for.
She said: “It’s not fair. He’s left a void in everybody’s hearts who knew him – his friends from school, college and everybody who knew him. Cory was just such a loving, caring, wonderful son.
“I had 18-and-a-half years of having the privilege of being his mum but unfortunately this tragic accident means that’s all gone.”
The devastated mum said her son would always be with her in her heart, and that he would want her to go on and be strong.
She added: “Please just be safe for my boy.”
Claire said since her son’s death, she had set up a charity to raise funds for signs and life aids and had been given permission to install them by the MLC.
Coroner Samatha Goward concluded his death was a tragic accident.
She said she would conduct further enquiries before deciding whether she should submit a report on the accident to prevent future deaths.
