A mother of two died after becoming trapped in quicksand within hours of arriving on a luxury holiday in Antigua, an inquest heard.
It is thought Nicola Raybone had gone to the beach to watch the spectacular sunset
Nicola Raybone's shouts for help went unheard by fellow guests attending her father's wedding on Antigua.
She remained trapped in the sinking sands as the tide came in an covered her, the inquest heard.
A hunt was launched for her after her sandals and phone were found left at a bar.
The 33-year-old from St Alban's Road, St Annes, Lancashire was staying at the Jolly Beach resort on the western coast of the isle.
Coroner Mrs Anne Hind was told at the Blackpool hearing that Nicola's dries for help could be heard but nightfall fell suddenly.
When she was eventually discovered an hour after her family and hotel staff launched their search she was found dead. Nicola was a trained nursery nurse and had also studied criminology died on the first day of the holiday on January 19.
The coroner said "Her family went to look for her but it was going dark. It was easy to sink deep into the sand. The beach sloped and it became pitch black.
"The tide that night was very rough and high."
"A body was found later on the shoreline and an investigation carried out.
"You can imagine how frightened she was having arrived on holiday everyone was happy about the forthcoming marriage.
"She just took a stroll along the beach and got into difficulties in very deep sand, quicksand. It is frightening how quickly it all happened."
The inquest heard that the family party arrived on Antigua at about 4pm. They all went to the bar together and at 6pm the rest went to get something to eat leaving Nicola at the bar in the hotel complex.
In a joint statement read out at the hearing :"She loved her family so much and was so proud of her children.
"They were a strong united family and she was so happy when they were chosen as mascots for Blackpool Football Club in January 2010.
"She was involved in many charities and never one to speak ill of others.She had just moved into a new house with her partner.
"They were looking forwards to the future together. Everyone is shocked and devastated."
The inquest also was told that the Antiguan police had received an emergency 911 (999) call on the night Nicola died reporting a woman was heard shouting for assistance on the beach.
The Jolly Beach complex costs £300 a night. She was there with her children Amy aged 11 and Dylan (13).
It is thought she had gone to the beach to watch the spectacular sunset. She was a good swimmer. The wedding was the next day.
Verdict: Accident.
- Login to post comments
Recent comments
8 years 35 weeks ago
9 years 3 weeks ago
9 years 7 weeks ago
9 years 11 weeks ago
9 years 12 weeks ago
11 years 31 weeks ago
11 years 45 weeks ago
12 years 13 weeks ago