A 32-year-old mother drowned after slipping on an algae-covered path and falling between rocks in Lowestoft. Rescue attempts failed.
Saffron Cole-Nottage, 32, likely lost her footing due to algae covering the path. She was walking her dog with her daughter when the incident occurred, leading her to fall into a gap between rocks. This mom of three reportedly drowned, despite the desperate attempts by rescuers to free her. The tragic event unfolded on a Sunday evening in Lowestoft, Suffolk, as the tide rapidly came in.
While locals consider this accident a freak event, Ms. Cole-Nottage was walking by the sea wall’s bottom. Signs are present to warn people about the boulders, advising them to avoid the beach section with restricted access under the Esplanade.
However, people can easily ignore these signs. One path end features a barrier to step over, while the other end only has a sign in the sand. The absence of a fence further contributes to the issue of people disregarding the warnings. A friend of Ms. Cole-Nottage told The Sun that she believes Ms. Cole-Nottage slipped and became trapped, with her daughter witnessing the horrific event.
According to a 65-year-old Lowestoft man, people generally avoid the path, noting a barrier with a sign at one end and another sign at the other end. He considers the path always treacherous, especially at night. He himself slipped there once, describing the surface as feeling like green slime, akin to an ice rink, saying slipping could cause broken bones.
Sean Evans, a child services worker, also commented on the path’s dangerous condition. He highlights the path is extra slippery and is covered during high tide, with vicious waves. He wouldn’t walk there, finding a similar path too dangerous.
Following her death, tributes poured in for Saffron, who lived in Lowestoft with her partner and kids, having moved from Gillingham, Kent. People left flowers on the Esplanade railings, referring to her as a “beautiful” mom who will be forever missed. Trish Butler, who knew Ms. Cole-Nottage well, laid flowers and called her lovely, and said she was a wonderful person, the life and soul wherever she went.
One bouquet read, “Rest in peace beautiful girl.” Ms. Cole-Nottage leaves behind two daughters (11 and 7) and a baby son born last year. A note said, “My beautiful mummy, I love you.” Mr. Wheeler wrote a message to his darling Saff, expressing how much they will miss her, believing the world is cruel for this freak accident and that he will never be the same without her, adding that the kids will never forget her.
Darts league members sent flowers for Saff, saying they hold fond memories with love. Another message read, “Your lights shined bright,” while another simply said: “I love you. Thank you.” Social media tributes also poured in, with many saying “rest in paradise Saff.” Another said she was the light to everything, saying the pain hurts so much.
Suffolk Police issued a statement about the incident, confirming they responded to a coastal incident on Sunday around 8:03 pm, where a woman in her 30s died at the scene. They stated the death is unexplained, but not suspicious, and that a file will be completed for the Coroner.
A resident reported hearing the air ambulance land, seeing flashing lights and Coastguard vehicles, and immediately knew something serious had occurred. He assumed she fell from the path, revealing he has heard of people getting stuck in rocks before and observes people climbing them, but it is dangerous. Ms. Cole-Nottage’s stepmother was too upset to comment.
