Investigation into the Death of Saffron Cole-Nottage

May 15, 2026, 16:45
UKHealth

Introduction

A judge looked at how Saffron Cole-Nottage died. She drowned in the sea at Lowestoft, Suffolk.

Main Body

Saffron got stuck in rocks in the sea on February 2, 2025. The water came in and she drowned. A person called 999 for help at 7:52 PM. The fire service did not get the call until 8:04 PM. They arrived and found her, but she was dead. The judge said the ambulance service was too slow. They did not call the fire service quickly. Also, a paramedic said she was dead too soon. The person on the phone told the caller not to help Saffron. The judge said this was a mistake. Tests showed Saffron had a lot of alcohol in her blood. This was much more than the legal limit for driving.

Conclusion

The judge said it was an accident. He said the rescue was too slow, and this may be why she died.

Learning

🕰️ Talking About the Past

To reach A2, you must know how to change action words to tell a story. Look at how the text changes words from their "normal" form to their "past" form:

  • Look → Looked
  • Drown → Drowned
  • Call → Called
  • Arrive → Arrived

The Simple Rule: For most words, just add -ed at the end. This tells the listener that the event is finished.

⚠️ The "Not" Rule (Past)

When something did not happen in the past, we use a special helper word: did not + normal word.

  • Wrong: They did not arrived. ❌
  • Right: They did not arrive. ✅

Notice that when we use did not, the main word goes back to its normal shape. It loses the -ed.

Vocabulary Learning

judge (n.)
A person who decides in a court.
Example:The judge listened to both sides before giving a verdict.
look (v.)
To direct sight toward something.
Example:She looked at the map to find the way.
drown (v.)
To die because of water.
Example:The swimmer could not keep afloat and began to drown.
sea (n.)
A large body of salt water.
Example:They went to the sea to swim.
rock (n.)
A hard stone.
Example:The child climbed a big rock near the beach.
water (n.)
Liquid that covers the earth and is essential for life.
Example:We need water to drink.
call (v.)
To speak on a telephone or to ask for help.
Example:If you need help, call the emergency number.
fire (n.)
A rapid oxidation that produces heat and light.
Example:The fire burned brightly in the night.
ambulance (n.)
A vehicle that takes sick or injured people to a hospital.
Example:An ambulance arrived after the accident.
paramedic (n.)
A medical worker who helps people in emergency situations.
Example:The paramedic checked the patient's pulse.
phone (n.)
A device used for talking over a distance.
Example:He used his phone to send a message.
mistake (n.)
An error or something done incorrectly.
Example:She realized it was a mistake to leave the door open.