Inquest into beach tragedy

20.07.2010

A CORONIAL inquest into the
drownings of Joseph and Carol
Sherry at South Ballina Beach in
February this year will be held at
the Ballina Court House tomorrow.
The inquest is expected to be
brief and is listed as a three-hour
sitting at this stage.
The Western Sydney couple
drowned while saving their own
children on the unpatrolled beach
near the South Ballina Beach Holiday
Park where they were staying.
Mrs Sherry succeeded in rescuing
her two youngest children from
a strong current, but was swept out
herself.
Her husband drowned trying to
save her.
Their three children,
Monique, 17, Elise, 14, and Nicholas,
9, were all on the beach at the time
and raised the alarm.
The drownings sent a shockwave
across the State and sparked debate
about adequate safety measures
at the increasingly popular
beach.
Andrew Plint, chief executive
officer of Hannah's Foundation, the
national drowning prevention support
group that organised the Sherry
Family Appeal, said he hoped to
attend the inquest.
"From the foundation's perspective
we will be very interested to
see that certain issues are addressed,"
he said.
"We want to know if there is
adequate warning signage
at tracks and car parks and if
there is enough advanced
warning at tourist places."
Mr Plint said he understood the
difficulties facing surf lifesavers
who already gave so much of their
time.