Teen Callum Baker-Osborne died saving family on a Dorset beach amid 'petrifying' scenes
Assistant Coroner Richard Middleton praised the teenager's selfless actions in July 2021.
A heroic teenager’s death has been ruled as accidental after he went into the water to rescue multiple members of his family. Callum Baker-Osborne raced into the water at Rockley Park Beach in Poole, Dorset in order to help family members who had been swept under by a sudden tide.
Mr Baker-Osborne managed to save his mum, sister and niece before he got into difficulties around 3.30pm on July 26 2021.
The final day of the inquest into Baker-Osborne's death heard how holidaymakers described the scene as “petrifying” as Rockley Park staff and boat users helped family members from the water.
One said: “I remember there being total panic and mayhem,” adding “the tide was flowing fast and it appears they were caught in a rip current”.
Multiple family members felt a “powerful push” as they were pushed further away from the shore.
They were also unable to touch the seabed and were dragged underwater.
The hearing heard how Mr Baker-Osborne rescued his nephew Byron before running back into the water to save his nephew Cameron.
He then went back into the water once again to save his his niece Aurora and sister Samantha.
Initially after the rescue Mr Baker-Osborne's family thought that he was also safe on the beach before coming to the horrifying realisation that the 18-year-old was still in the water.
READ MORE: Murder trial hears teen 'kicked victim's head like a football'
Callum Baker-Osborne’s family outside of Bournemouth Coroner’s Court after a coroner declared he was a hero who accidentally died as he rescued his family. Moving words from his sister. pic.twitter.com/KBhiZ7cKdL
— Mike (@JournoMikeT) January 6, 2023
Hundreds of people are gathering @Covcathedral for the funeral of Callum Baker-Osborne @itvcentral pic.twitter.com/yuHbojjZ9R
— Lucy Kapasi (@LucyKapasi) September 1, 2021
Over the next few days RNLI, Dorset Search and Rescue, Dorset Police and HM Coastguard carried out extension searches for the missing teenager.
Mr Baker-Osborne's body was found in the water at Hamworthy Pier by a dogwalker at approximately 6am on July 30, 2021 who called 999.
At the inquest Mr Baker-Osborne's family said they wanted the biker and swimmer to be remembered as a hero.
This was a sentiment echoed by Assistant Coroner Richard Middleton.
DON'T MISS:
Tragic beautician hit by car while sitting in the middle of a road [REVEAL]
Desperate search as man and woman go missing with newborn baby [INSIGHT]
King Charles model town locals fume at 'miserable' Christmas tree [SPOTLIGHT]
Today before our game against @dunlop_fc we showed our respect with a minutes round of applause for Callum Baker-Osborne. Our thoughts are with his family and friends.
— AFC Coventry Rangers (@AFCCovRangers) July 31, 2021
We thank Dunlop FC for the game today and we wish them well for the rest of the season. pic.twitter.com/Rxqtke5jfH
Members of Mr Baker-Osborne's family wore Coventry Riders hoodies and T-shirts with photos of him as they heard Mr Middleton's verdict.
The inquest also heard from site representatives about how a number of signs had been installed in the area since Mr Baker-Osborne's death warning visitors about the changing water conditions and beach safety advice.
They also heard that leaflets published early last year included further water safety advice and were available to all guests at Haven Rockley Park Caravan Holiday Park.