Inquest hearing for Shropshire man drowned while on holiday in Crete

Shropshire  Star — On Tuesday an inquest heard how Mr Yardley, a retired farmer, 70, had been sailing around the Crete on a yacht with his family, when on September 5 was pulled unconscious out of the water in Agia Roumeli south Chania and was later certified dead at the local medical centre.

Shropshire and Telford & Wrekin Coroner John Ellery recorded a conclusion of accidental death at an inquest hearing yesterday.

He concluded: “I accept the result of the post mortem in Crete as drowning in the sea and as that is an accidental death that is the conclusion I record.”

Derek Yardley, of The Dairy, Nordley, near Bridgnorth was been described as a “quiet, calm, and knowledgeable man” who was “well known for being part of the community”.

In the year up to 28 August there have been 33 deaths  on Cretan beaches with almost half of the deaths (15) recorded in Chania, 6 in Rethymnon, 9 in Heraklion and 3 in Lasithi.

Dozens more people who have been in difficulties in the water have been rescued by the local lifeguards.