Birmingham dad-of-two dies in heartbreaking beach tragedy
An experienced kayaker from Birmingham tragically died in rough sears off the coast of Wales last year. John Robert Slack, aged 34, travelled to North Wales in May last year.
The dad of two ventured out in water off Tywyn beach – having been warned by a beach warden not to. His kayak overturned within minutes, and he tragically died en route to Ysbyty Bronglais, Aberystwyth.
Beach warden George Watson told the hearing he had been patrolling Tywyn that morning. He said he saw Mr Slack paddling out to sea in a “controlled manner” but when he saw him again he was sitting on the tideline near the slipway, reports NorthWalesLive.
Mr Watson said: “I approached him and he told me he had been thrown out about 4ft in the air but said he was going to go out again. I told him that although i couldn’t stop him I strongly advised that he did not but he said he was a strong paddler and went out again.”
Mr Watson then saw Mr Slack come off the kayak and go into the water. He then noticed that Mr Slack was “waving and shouting” so he made the decision to call 999. Mr Slack was in the water for around 15 minutes before he was recovered by Aberdyfi coastguard team. He was showing signs of life when he was initially pulled from the water but sadly died on the way to Bronglais, where he was officially pronounced deceased.
