TEENAGER Callum Baker-Osborne’s death has been ruled as accidental, with his emotional family saying he “was not taken in vain”.
A Dorset coroner said there was “no one more heroic” than 18-year-old Callum who died saving members of his family from drowning in the water off Rockley Park in Poole in July 2021.
The Osborne family attended day two of the inquest at Bournemouth Town Hall on Friday, January 6, in matching ‘Coventry Riders’ hoodies – recognising Callum’s love of motorcycling.
As reported, Callum Baker-Osborne was on a family holiday at Rockley Park when he was swept away on July 26, after getting caught in strong currents while swimming off the beach.
Day one of the inquest heard how the builder from Coventry prevented at least three young family members from drowning, before he succumbed to exhaustion.
Callum’s body was eventually discovered by a dogwalker shortly before 6am on July 30 by the shore at Lake Pier in Hamworthy.
Friday’s proceedings heard from further witnesses who said the incident caused “total panic and mayhem” on the family beach.
Regular boat user and eyewitness Amanda Garratty told the court of several other occurrences of swimmers being pulled away by currents in the water near the rail bridge – describing the stretch of water as “scary”.
She said: “As you approach where the pontoons are there’s a riptide which goes in a circle. It’s like a whirlpool. The tide is so strong there.”
On the day in question, she said: “I was just watching thinking ‘oh my god, what’s happening?’
“The screaming was like nothing I had ever heard.”
Before and during the hearing, the Osborne family called for Rockley site operator Haven to improve its signage and safety information for visitors – stating they saw no signage on the short walk from their caravan to the beach on the day, nor had they received any safety advice.
Callum's twin brother Ryan said he wanted to see several measures introduced at Rockley Point, including the installation of a defibrillator, a bell for emergencies and for a comprehensive incident logbook.
A Rockley representative provided the coroner with evidence that showed since Callum’s death, improved signage had been installed around all entrance points to the beach and an updated leaflet highlighting safety tips for the water had been created and made available to all holidaymakers.
Several RNLI recommendations were also heard to have been implemented by Haven.
Assistant coroner for Dorset Richard Middleton deemed the subsequent actions of Haven were acceptable and concluded: “From what I’ve heard, Callum and his family did nothing which placed themselves into harm’s way. They did nothing to contribute to the events which then unfolded.
“There were a number of selfless acts that day. There was no one more heroic than Callum.
“It appears to me he was tireless in trying to rescue everyone in trouble.
“It seems to me that the rescue efforts had taken a toll on Callum, and then he sadly drowned.”
Mr Middleton ruled Callum’s death was accidental by drowning and marked his date of death as July 30 – the day his body was discovered.
He expressed his sympathy to the family and thanked them for their conduct at the inquest.
Following the inquest’s conclusion, the Osborne family spoke to members of the media. His sister Samantha Osborne-Ward said: “Those four traumatic days forever loop in our minds, but to have to relive them out loud over the past few days has been truly heart wrenching.
“We as a family understand it is our responsibility to ensure Callum was not taken in vain, that another life is not lost under same awful circumstances.”
His brother Patrick said: “Rockley Park have done everything now that we’ve asked. They’ve put many [more] signs up, put more [information] in the welcome brochures for other people to understand that the water isn’t always safe.”
The family also stated their belief that even if Callum “knew the outcome, he’d still jump in”.
Samantha added: “He’s always watching down on us, he’s always with us, always within our hearts.”
This July, the Osborne family will return to Poole for another fundraising event for the RNLI in Callum’s name.
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