Inquest opens into drowning of brothers near St Annes

A court hearing into the drowning deaths of two teenagers will investigate safety signs and warnings about high tides off the coast of St Annes.

By Simon Drury

Published 16th Dec 2020, 12:56 BST

Updated 16th Dec 2020, 13:00 BST

Muhammad Azhar Shabbir and Ali-Athar Shabbir died on St Annes beach in August

Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, and his brother Muhammad Shabbir, 18, got into trouble in the water on August 15.

Their bodies were found washed up one day later one mile from St Annes pier.At a pre-inquest hearing at Blackpool Town Hall today, coroner Andrew Cousins said the day-long investigation would discuss 'the relevance of signage and the posting of tide times around the coastal area'.

He said: "The relevance of the signage and the tide is one of my main issues here. I'm quite happy to give permission for the council to enter any further evidence it would like to in relation to anything which has been changed since this accident, such as signs put up or changes to procedures."

A full hearing was arranged for February 24 2021.

St Annes