Emily inquest opened and adjourned

12:56pm Friday 9th May 2008

AN inquest into the death of Emily Jordan, in an extreme sport accident in New Zealand, has been opened and adjourned.

The inquest was opened at the Black Country Coroner's Office in West Bromwich today but coroner Robin Balmain advised waiting until a full inquiry had been conducted in New Zealand.

He added he had been advised by the authorities in New Zealand that the medical cause of death of the 21-year-old, of Valley House, Trimpley, was asphyxiation, due to drowning.

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

"This is a very distressing case. The circumstances are quite tragic. I understand she had recently completed a law degree and it is very sad her life should be ended in this way."

He said there would be a full inquiry in New Zealand and law in England required him to resume the hearing in "due course".

He added: "When the Government published the draft Coroner's Bill in June, 2006 they promised they would explore the possibility of coroners not holding inquests in this country in certain circumstances.

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

Miss Jordan died on April 29 at the Kawarau River in Cromwell, New Zealand.