Inquest begins into 'tragic and avoidable' death of widow crushed by boat
A GRANDMOTHER was crushed to death when she fell between a luxury cruise liner and a boat returning her from a day trip, an inquest heard yesterday.
Mary Atherton was killed after she fell between a boat and floating platform and was crushed
Widow Mary Atherton, 75, was enjoying a Cunard World Cruise on the Queen Elizabeth with a friend when she took the trip to the Cambodian shore.
But Preston coroner’s court heard no one tied the small “tender” boat to the liner’s floating platform.
As the retired teacher, from Penwortham, Lancs, stepped out an ocean swell moved the tender away and she fell into the gap.
Pathologist Dr Helen Stringfellow told the hearing that Mrs Atherton suffered a skull fracture and died instantly.
The 75-year-old was enjoying a Cunard World Cruise on the Queen Elizabeth
Mary had been out on a day trip to the Cambodian shoreline
Fellow passenger and yacht owner Andrew Allen said the situation was “precarious” and there were no safety warnings before they disembarked.
In an email to her only son Michael, Mr Allen described Mrs Atherton’s death last April as “a tragic and avoidable accident”.
She had disclosed mobility problems due to arthritis to Cunard at the time of booking.
The inquest continues.