Drownings- second inquest sought

FRESH evidence could lead to a second inquest being held into the deaths of a father and his young son who drowned at sea in a dinghy tragedy in Littlehampton.

By The Newsroom

Published 19th Aug 2008, 14:21 BST

Updated 8th Jun 2018, 03:15 BST

Verdicts of accidental death were recorded last year at the inquest into the deaths of Alan Watkins (50) and two-year-old son Arun Watkins, who died during the seaside trip in June last year.

A coroner was told Arun's body was found off the coast of Littlehampton, without a lifejacket or armbands and his father's body was discovered two days later.

New undisclosed evidence has emerged since the inquest last September that has led to West Sussex coroner Penny Schofield seeking leave to appeal to the High Court to have the original verdicts quashed.

If permission is granted, a second inquest is expected to be held later this year and could lead to officers from Sussex Police re-opening their investigations.

For full story see West Sussex Gazette August 20