'Generous and charming' dad died after going for a swim on holiday in Greece

Andrew Story was on holiday with his wife when the tragic accident occurred

A dad-of-two died after entering the water while on holiday on the Greek island of Crete.

Andrew Story was on holiday on October 12 last year when he entered the water in Rethymno, Crete. The 56-year-old was in the water for just a few minutes, according to a prevention of future death report, before a bystander was seen giving him CPR on the beach.

Mr Story, from Frodsham, Cheshire, was taken to hospital by paramedics but was pronounced dead thereafter. A post-mortem conducted in Greece found he died after drowning in sea water, with a post-mortem conducted in the UK citing drowning but also left ventricular hypertrophy, which is often the result of high blood pressure and can cause heart problems.

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The report, written following the conclusion of an inquest into Mr Story's death by Ms Jacqueline Devonish, senior coroner for Cheshire, on July 4, states the conclusion of the inquest was the death was an accident but Greek authorities could have done more to prevent his death.

The report reads: "'It was understood that the Greek Coroner had informed bereaved family members that the sea was particularly rough in Rethymno, Crete and had no lifeguards on duty between 31 August and the end of the summer season. This coincided with tourist season making the use of that beach and sea for swimming generally, and particularly unsafe in the absence of red warning markers, signs or flags."

In tributes made online following the death of Mr Story last year, he was described as a "funny, generous and charming man". His daughter, Erin, wrote in a tribute on Facebook: "My dad loved the sea and his kayak, and decided to sign up to the RNLI when he spotted them on his favourite beach in Tenby. This is an especially appropriate choice as my dad sadly passed by drowning. We will also be sending donations to Cancer Research, as cancer has had a devastating impact on our family.

"On a personal note, I’d like to thank everyone who has supported me and my family during what has been the hardest weeks of our lives. My dad was a huge part of so many lives and loved by everyone who met him, which is evident in the hundreds of lovely cards and letters we have received. We’ll always love you dad, gone but never forgotten"

Ms Devonish concluded action should be taken to prevent future deaths from happening, with the authorities having until August 26, 2024, to respond to the report.

A Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office spokesperson said: “We supported the family of a British man who died in Crete.”

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