Builder Drowns Testing Paddle Board Off Lepe Beach
Tragedy struck last August when 51-year-old builder Julian Luffman drowned just half a mile off Lepe Beach. The dad-of-two was testing inflatable paddle boards he had bought for the family, unaware it would be his last outing.
Struggled with Illness and Couldn’t Swim
At the Winchester inquest, Julian’s wife, Olesya, revealed he suffered from spondylitis – a painful spinal condition limiting his neck and shoulder movement. Couple that with his inability to swim, and the dangers became clear.
Fatal Fall After Losing Balance
Olesya was windsurfing when Julian tried to paddle over to her on the board. Not wearing a lifejacket, he stood up to turn the board around but lost balance and fell feet-first into the water.
“He came up head first, tried to grip the board, the board twisted round, and the fin hit him between the eyes,” Olesya recalled. “I said, ‘Are you OK?’ He said, ‘No, not really.’”
She tried desperately to keep him afloat but soon realised he had passed away. Others nearby heard her screams and rushed to help before a coastguard helicopter winched Julian to safety.
Post-Mortem: Cardiac Arrest Triggered by Water Immersion
Julian was rushed to southampton/" title="Southampton" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Southampton General Hospital but was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. Coroner Jason Pegg confirmed a post-mortem found cardiac arrest caused by a vasovagal crisis and immersion in water was to blame.
“Mr Luffman was unable to swim and suffered from restricted movement due to spondylitis,” the coroner said. “He likely lost balance attempting a move he’d never tried before on the paddle board.”
A heartbreaking reminder of how quickly a fun day on the water can turn fatal.
