Rapids tragedy inquest adjourned

A full inquest into the death of a promising West Midlands law graduate may not need to be held in this country, a coroner revealed today.

Black Country coroner Robin Balmain opened the inquest into the death of Emily Jordan, aged 21, from Valley House, Trimpley, near Bewdley, who died while riverboarding in New Zealand in April.

She drowned after becoming trapped between rocks.

Mr Balmain said he would await the outcome of an inquiry in New Zealand before resuming the inquest.

He said: "She was on a trip with her boyfriend. They were riverboarding and in the course of that she got into difficulties and drowned.

"There will be a full inquiry in New Zealand. I propose to adjourn this inquiry. The law in England requires me to resume it in due course."

Mr Balmain said the Government produced a draft Coroners' Bill promising that it would explore the possibility of coroners not having to hold an inquest in this country in certain circumstances.

"If there is a full inquiry in New Zealand, this would be just such a case. I hope the Government will continue to give consideration to that possibility."