A UK coroner has given a verdict of accidental death after 28-year-old Kieran Blakeledge died in a swimming pool at a Sihanoukville hotel in December 2018.

Notts tourist died in Cambodian swimming pool on first night of holiday
ByDavid Whitfield
15:16, 24 MAY 2019
A tourist drowned in a swimming pool on the first night of a holiday in Cambodia.

Former Retford resident Kieran Blakeledge could not be saved, although a nurse carried out CPR for 45 minutes.

She was thought to have been staying in the same hotel as the 28-year-old, an inquest in Nottingham heard.

Assistant Coroner Dr Elizabeth Didcock said that Mr Blakeledge had been "by the pool drinking and chatting with friends who went to bed or to get food."

The coroner said: "He was on his own by the pool. Very sadly he fell into the pool about 10 o'clock. He had a small cut near the eye, presumably when he fell in."

She said that there was "no sign of injury but a little bit of bruising around a foot, nothing more."

The coroner ruled out involvement by other people in the death and said that tests showed that he had taken "no illicit substances."

A post mortem was carried out after Mr Blakeledge's embalmed body was brought back to the UK. There were some traces of alcohol but the coroner said this was most likely due to the embalming process.

Drowning was given as the medical cause of death.

Mr Blakeledge's mother Christine told the inquest: "We don't know whether he slipped or fell."

The coroner said that a report had been received from police officers in Cambodia but it was "very brief."

It said that he arrived that morning at the Bungalow Soksabay resort in Sihanoukville and that he "died from drowning."

The hearing was told that Mr Blakeledge had lived in Australia since 2014.

His father James told the hearing: "He had been accepted in Australia for more four years and had a visa. He was over the moon and had gained sponsorship."

The coroner said: "There is no suggestion he has taken his own life."

Her conclusion was of accidental death.

She told the family: "I am so sorry for your loss. Please accept my condolences.
"There is nothing suspicious about the death."
https://www.nottinghampost.com/news/loc ... ng-2905605


The friends and family of the deceased raised £10,972 of a £10,000 gofundme goal to repatriate his body to the UK.

Remembering Kieran Blakeledge
On Saturday 22nd December we received the tragic news our friend and brother Kieran had passed away whilst on holiday with friends in Cambodia.
Nobody wants to believe this has happened, but in the face of incredibly challenging times, we ask that we come together to help cover the cost of all logistics to bring our mate home to his family and friends. All donations greatly appreciated.

https://www.gofundme.com/remembering-kieran-blakeledge

Note that Kieran Blakeledge's death in Cambodia has not been previously reported on CEO or the other expat media outlets. Hopefully the family will have closure with the coroner's report. RIP.

well this proves post mortems can be done in the deceased homelands,I must have read a thousand times on here that it is not possible because of this that and another.R.I.P.

Seems like a tragic accident.
God Bless,
RIP

IraHayes wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2019 8:18 am In hindsight it's a shame this was never reported on here. With the UK coroners report it might have helped curb some of the wild speculation surrounding foreigner deaths here.

How would reporting his death here six months ago and six months before the release of the coroner’s report have curbed wild speculation about foreigner deaths here?

UK inquests. From https://www.lincolnshirelive.co.uk/news ... ht-2905952
Man dies in drowning on first night of holiday in Cambodia
25 May 2019
A former Retford man died after drowning in a swimming pool during the first night of his holiday in Cambodia, an inquest has found.

IraHayes wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2019 4:46 pm

Cam Nivag wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2019 4:17 pm

IraHayes wrote: ↑Sat May 25, 2019 8:18 am In hindsight it's a shame this was never reported on here. With the UK coroners report it might have helped curb some of the wild speculation surrounding foreigner deaths here.

How would reporting his death here six months ago and six months before the release of the coroner’s report have curbed wild speculation about foreigner deaths here?

1: Foreigner dies at a hotel/guesthouse/resort.
2: It is reported here at CEO.
3: The rumour mill and speculation go into over drive. How did he die? he wasn't drinking? was it drugs? maybe his drink was spiked? maybe he got into a scuffle? Was there a CCTV?????
4: Armchair experts will have their say.. other will post from past experiences.
5: another case surfaces and its forgotten about as there is usually no coroners report anyway so everyone moves to "RIP" the next dead foreigner.

With this case those initially speculating too wildly would have had their wing clipped a little as there was a coroners report in the end and maybe that would have clipped their wings for the next time.

The speculators speculate, no amount of wing clipping will stop their hunger for speculation. Gossip is the currency of the speculator and we have a number of top drawer cause of death speculators that live to speculate on the cause of death. Facts are for fools when what ifs and maybes get the floor. I imagine there are some who are speculating on the coroner's mental health or possible drug use as we speak.