A retired chief council officer drowned while windsurfing in 40mph wind was his last resort. His body was washed up in Sweden 600 miles away.
Chris Bamfeld (65), a skilled windsurfer was seen on his board at Hunstanton in Norfolk on November 14, last year.
His wife, Vanessa Bamfield, reported him missing at 5.17pm the same day when it had got dark and he had failed to return to their home in Middleton, near King’s Lynn.
Chris Bamfeld (pictured), 65 years old, was highly skilled windsurfer and was seen riding his board in Hunstanton on November 14.
Norfolk coroner’s court in Norwich heard how an extensive search was launched for Mr Bamfield involving six search and rescue teams, lifeboats and two fixed wing aircraft.
The entire search area in The Wash was called to an end on November 16, when it became apparent that the man was at sea.
Later, his windsurfer board along with its red and blue sail were recovered from the North Sea approximately 21 miles offshore of the Norfolk coast.
On April 6, his body was washed up at Stora Korno, Bohuslan in Sweden.
Interpol informed Norfolk Police that an unidentified body had been discovered.
The Inquest found that DNA tests had confirmed that Mr Bamfield was the one who possessed the remains.
He had recently retired as executive director of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.
In Sweden, a post-mortem revealed that his death was due to drowning. However, he also suffered from circulation problems.
Reports from Mr Bamfield’s GP confirmed that he had been diagnosed as having high cholesterol, but had declined statin medication as he wanted to treat himself through diet and fitness.
Yvonne Blake, a Norfolk coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death from drowning while windsurfing.
She said that water found in Mr Banfield’s lungs had confirmed that he had drowned.
Chris Bamfield was searched intensively for by several rescue agencies. This included the Coastguard, Police, Search and Rescue, and the RNLI.
Ms Blake said: ‘Although he had slightly high cholesterol, it didn’t seem to be in the dreadful range. According to me, it wasn’t heart attack territory.
She continued, “He was out doing something he liked. It was something he had done for years, and he had the right equipment.
“It appears to me that quite an extensive search was conducted and some time later, he was discovered in Sweden and was identified through his DNA profile.
Speaking to Mr Bamfield’s widow and daughter who were at the hearing, Ms Blake expressed sorrow that it had taken nearly five months for his body to be found.
She expressed her regret for the loss, and the uncertainty. It just makes it worse.
Mr Bamfield’s daughter Ashton said her father had gone out windsurfing at lunchtime, meaning he had plenty of daylight left.
She said: ‘I don’t want anyone to think he was being extremely reckless, because he was not reckless at all.’
In a statement to the inquest Miss Bamfield said that her father was a “devoted” husband and father, who was full of love and care for his family and friends. She also described him as proudly serving as a public servant for over 29 years.
She said that her husband had looked forward to retiring and planned to travel the world together with his spouse and spend quality time with his children.
Miss Bamfield stated that he had a passion about sport. Windsurfing and golf were the top choices. His favorite sport was golf. He had been on many courses in the United States and Europe.
He had recently rediscovered his passion for windsurfing and had been windsurfing in many locations around the UK, she said.
Miss Bamfield mentioned that her father was suffering from back pains and fatigue in the weeks leading up to his death. However, he made a point of ignoring family worries about his health, saying that he was doing fine.
She stated that the day he disappeared and all subsequent days were some of the most difficult in our lives. It was only knowing that he loved what he did. That was the best comfort.
Miss Bamfield thanked everyone who helped her find her father.
Public buildings were lit up red in King’s Lynn in honour of Mr Bamfield on the day of his funeral in June this year
She stated, “The shock of realizing that he would not be seen again was unbearable.”
‘It’s an awful thing to have no opportunity to say goodbye to someone you cherish so dearly.
“He was truly an extraordinary man. He made us so proud and loved all that he did in his life. Without him, our lives would not be the same. We are so sorry for him.
Officer Ollie Newell, a detective sergeant in Norfolk Police stated that CCTV photos had captured Mr Bamfield leaving the black BMW near Hunstanton Sailing Club to walk with his board and winter suit on to the beach.
He stated that Mr. Bamfield went out at 40mph in the south and south easterly wind, which he called ‘difficult’ conditions.
Later, two windsurfers who had known him saw him sail close to shore in the afternoon on November 14. He was struggling to make progress because of the winds that were being disrupted along the coastline.
They insisted that he wasn’t in distress, but sergeant Newell said.
Public buildings were lit up red in King’s Lynn in honour of Mr Bamfield on the day of his funeral in June this year.
Council staff also held a minute’s silence for him.