Derbyshire Couple Die Within Days in Separate Maldives Incidents
A coroner's court has heard the tragic details of how a Midlands couple died within days of each other while on holiday in the Maldives. Elaine Richmond, a 70-year-old currency handler from Inkersall, Chesterfield, drowned during a scuba diving incident, while her 71-year-old husband Malcolm, a retired miner, passed away just days later as he awaited a flight home.
Experienced Diver Succumbs to Strong Current
Assistant coroner Matthew Kewley opened the inquest at Chesterfield Coroner's Court, revealing that Mrs Richmond died on December 19 last year on the island of Ellaidhoo. According to a report from Maldivian police authorities, the experienced scuba diver was pulled away by a strong current after sea conditions deteriorated during a dive.
Mr Kewley stated: "Her husband immediately raised the alarm and sought assistance and a search was commenced but sadly the body of Mrs Richmond was then recovered from the water."
The coroner noted that the couple, who had visited the Maldives on many previous occasions, were described as professional divers in the report, though he clarified this likely meant they were experienced recreational divers rather than working professionals. The hospital in the Maldives gave her cause of death as drowning and asphyxiation.
Husband's Health Deteriorates While Awaiting Repatriation
Just two days after his wife's death, Malcolm Richmond's health deteriorated while he was at the airport waiting for a flight home. He was admitted to hospital on December 21 and died on Christmas Eve in the Maldives capital Male.
Opening the inquest into Mr Richmond's death, Mr Kewley revealed: "It was reported that he was heavily intoxicated at the airport. His cause of death was given as acute alcohol intoxication, multi-organ dysfunction and cardiac arrest."
The coroner explained that hospital staff in the Maldives had contacted police on December 24 to report that a British national had passed away.
Inquest Proceedings and Further Investigations
The couple's deaths were reported to the coroner on January 6 after their bodies were repatriated to the United Kingdom. The initial inquest hearing took place on January 30, with a full inquest scheduled for a later date once further inquiries have been made with authorities in the Maldives.
This tragic sequence of events has left the Chesterfield community in mourning for the couple who had enjoyed multiple visits to the tropical destination. The coroner's court will continue to investigate the circumstances surrounding both deaths as more information becomes available from international authorities.
