Julie Beach drowned swimming at Portscatho, inquest finds

The heartbroken family of Julie Beach from Truro wondered if she had suddenly got into trouble after being stung by jellyfish.

But a swimmer who went to her aid said she did not see any jellyfish in the sea at that time.

Julie was a fit and healthy woman who ran regularly and swam in the same spot in Cornwall several times a week.

But one early evening last August the 59 year old was heard 'calling weakly for help' between 50-75 metres from the beach and cliffs at Porthcurnick beach at Portscatho on the Roseland peninsula.

Christine Boon was walking along the coastal path with her husband when a witness heard Julie's cry for help.

Julie Beach was a fit and healthy swimmer (Image: Family handout)

She ran down steps to the beach and swam out to the stricken lady who had been doing breast stroke - reaching her in five minutes from the original alert.

A male stranger also swam to her and 'towed' her back to the beach where she was given CPR by off duty health workers - but despite their efforts and those of emergency crews she died at the scene.

The inquest at Cornwall coroner's court heard that she may have suffered a heart attack while swimming in the sea which was not cold as it had been a hot day.

Julie's husband Simon said his wife was a good swimmer who had gone in to 'cool off' and there were no great currents in the sea there.

He said she went to the same location each time for a 30 minute swim with an orange buoy attached to her waist as she swam 'with her head out of the water like a swan'.

He said his wife volunteered for the Samaritans and said she was "full of energy, determination and drive".

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The mother-of-two had retired early after a career as a teacher and head at St Petroc's C of E Primary School, in Bodmin and St Martin's C of E School in Liskeard.

A post mortem revealed that Julie died from drowning.

The assistant coroner Guy Davies recorded a narrative conclusion saying Julie died from drowning while swimming following a coronary event.

He praised the 'valiant efforts' of those who swam to her aid and the 'gallant efforts' of off duty healthcare workers who tried to revive her on the beach.