Bognor Regis woman, 22, died after tragic seaside accident

The death of a 22-year-old woman, who was found unresponsive in the sea at Bognor Regis beach, has been ruled as an accident.
By Sam Morton
Published 5th Feb 2021, 18:51 BST
Updated 5th Feb 2021, 19:02 BST
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Walton Avenue resident Bethany Skinner, who worked at Butlin's holiday resort, died at St Richard's Hospital on February 26, 2019, two days after being pulled from the water by Bognor pier.

An inquest at Crawley Coroner's Court on Thursday (February 4) heard that Beth and her boyfriend, Philip Errikson, had both been drinking and had an argument before tragedy struck.

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Beth went and stood in the sea up to her ankles while Philip was about ten paces behind her, the inquest heard.

Bethany, who grew up in Somerset, had been working at Butlin's in Bognor. Photo: Sussex PoliceBethany, who grew up in Somerset, had been working at Butlin's in Bognor. Photo: Sussex Police
Bethany, who grew up in Somerset, had been working at Butlin's in Bognor. Photo: Sussex Police

Beth, who was said to be fearful of water and could not swim, got 'dragged into the sea'. It was a windy day, with high water levels and the waves on the beach were described as 'forceful'.

Philip went in the sea to try and save Beth but the waves were 'too strong', the inquest heard.

He went to find help but it was 'at least 25 minutes' before Beth was pulled from the sea and able to get medical attention.

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By this time, Beth had stopped breathing and her temperature was 27 degrees Celsius, the inquest heard.

Bethany died in hospital despite the best efforts of ITU staff at St Richard's Hospital. Photo: Sussex PoliceBethany died in hospital despite the best efforts of ITU staff at St Richard's Hospital. Photo: Sussex Police
Bethany died in hospital despite the best efforts of ITU staff at St Richard's Hospital. Photo: Sussex Police

Despite the best efforts of staff on the Intensive Treatment Unit (ITU) at St Richard's Hospital, Beth's condition deteriorated and she sadly died.

Alicia Keen, assistant coroner for West Sussex, ruled Beth's death as an accident.

Butlin's pays tribute to 'popular, hard-working' Bognor woman who died after sea rescue

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