Woman crushed to death between narrow boat and side of canal after falling in as husband helplessly watched
A WOMAN was crushed to death between a narrow boat and the side of a canal after she fell into the water.
Margaret Billings, 78, became trapped between the narrow boat and the quayside of Kennet and Avon Canal in Devizes, Wiltshire on June 27 last year.
Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court heard she died soon after becoming stuck, despite being rescued from the water.
In a written statement, husband Michael told the inquest he had been married to Margaret for 51 years and they had been on many boating holidays together.
Margaret, a retired chemist and and keen gardener, had been on a week’s holiday with friends and Michael when tragedy struck.
They had been mooring up the boat in Devizes when Margaret fell into the canal, Michael said.
He recalled telling her to wait after she appeared to try and step off the boat before it had docked closer to the bank.
Michael said: “The next thing I heard was a cry and I saw a splash in the water.
“I did not see her leave contact with the boat and didn’t know what was going on.”
“I looked over the boat to see Margaret facing me in the water and the boat closing in to the bank rapidly. There was nothing I could do.”
Margaret was rescued by her husband and friends before paramedics quickly arrived at the scene.
However, the 78-year-old from Penrhyndeudraeth, North Wales, could sadly not be saved.
A post-mortem examination found she died from injuries consistent with being trapped between the boat and the side of the canal.
Area coroner Ian Singleton recorded a conclusion of accidental death.
He said: “On June 27 2024 Margaret Billings was travelling with family and friends on a canal boat heading towards Bradford upon Avon.
“Margaret had been on some 20 similar journeys in the past and was regarded as experienced.
“As the boat approached Devizes, Margaret was stood on the boat some 3ft away from the stern holding on with one hand.”
He added: “In circumstances that remain unclear, Margaret left the boat and was in the water between the boat that was under power and the bank with the distance between the two rapidly diminishing.
“Margaret was caught between the canal boat and the bank, which caused extensive injuries to her chest and head.
“Margaret was pulled from the water and despite the efforts of paramedics was pronounced deceased at the scene.”