'Selfish' drivers delayed response to girl who drowned at Formby

A coroner has condemned "selfish" drivers after illegally parked cars delayed emergency vehicles from reaching a beach where a 15-year-old girl had drowned. However, an inquest heard there was no evidence the delays contributed to the death of Chiedza Nyanjowa after she got into difficulties on Formby Beach, Merseyside, on 25 May. Chiedza, who could not swim, got out of her depth while fetching a volleyball from the sea while playing with her 11-year-old cousin. Coroner Elizabeth Wheeler recorded a conclusion of death by misadventure but added: "I am concerned that selfish and illegal parking can have an impact of delaying emergency vehicles which can have implications for future deaths." The inquest, at Bootle Town Hall in Sefton, heard Chiedza, from Cheshire, had gone to stay with an aunt and two cousins in Bolton, Greater Manchester, for the half-term holiday. They went to the beach at Formby, which was packed due to the hot weather on Bank Holiday Monday. The court heard Chiedza and her cousin went to play volleyball at the water's edge. Coroner's officer Emma Donaldson told the inquest the children were warned not to go into the water above shin height because Chiedza could no