THE parents of a popular student who tragically died one week into a trip of a lifetime in Australia have welcomed the news an inquest will finally be held into her death.
Bethany Farrell died more than three years ago while scuba diving for the first time in Queensland’s Whitsundays.
The 23-year-old had paid for the lesson at Wings Diving Adventures but became separated from her instructor and drowned.
The competent swimmer, from Colchester, had previously been snorkelling before moving on to scuba diving.
Australia’s Office of Industrial Relations investigated the incident.
The result of that investigation led to a trial in March last year, after which Wings Diving Adventures was ordered to pay a non-recorded A$160,000 fine.
The company was found guilty of general supervisory failings.
Bethany’s parents, Patrick and Caron Farrell, previously of Bergholt Road, Colchester, have campaigned for an inquest into her death to be held in Australia.
The pair said: We gradually became concerned with aspects of the investigation and as such formally requested the coroner ordered an inquest into Bethany’s death.
“We also held meetings in Australia, where we expressed our concerns when we came out from the UK last year for the court hearing and held extensive discussions regarding Bethany’s case.
“We are relieved the coroner has ordered an inquest into Bethany’s death.” Bethany’s four-day inquest will begin in Mackay, Queensland, on Tuesday.
The parents added: “We are well prepared and have engaged a barrister to represent our interests and intend this time no stone will be left unturned in our fight for truth and justice for Bethany.”
Central Queensland Coroner David O’Connell will examine the company’s training for novice divers and the conditions of the dive site the former Gilberd pupil was at.
Crucially, he will also investigate her in-water supervision. Bethany died on February 17, 2015.
After Bethany’s death, it emerged Wings Diving Adventures deleted photos of the 23-year-old which could have been used by police as evidence.
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