Inquest opens into death of 'selfless' hero, 18, who leapt into the Dorset sea to save children caught in riptide but drowned before rescue services could reach him
- Callum Baker-Osborne, 18, was swept away by strong current in Poole Harbour
- He helped rescue a group of youngsters who were caught by fast-flowing tide
- His body was recovered at Lake Pier on July 30 after four-day search in Dorset
An inquest has opened into the death of a ‘selfless’ hero who drowned trying to save a number of children from a ferocious riptide.
Callum Baker-Osborne, 18, was swept away by a strong current in front of his family moments after lifting his nieces and nephews into a rescue boat.
A group of 13 youngsters had been playing in relatively shallow water close to Black Bridge at Rockley Point in Poole Harbour, Dorset, when they were dragged away by the fast flowing tide at about 4pm on Monday, July 26.
The other swimmers were recovered from the water and a major multi-agency search operation was launched for Callum.
Tragically, Callum’s body was found in the water at Lake Pier in Hamworthy, Poole, on the morning of July 30.
Callum Baker-Osborne, 18, was swept away by a strong current in front of his family moments after lifting his nieces and nephews into a rescue boat
A massive air and sea search involving coastguard crews, RNLI lifeboats (pictured), police divers, the coastguard helicopter, Royal Marines, local boat owners and people on jet-skis took place to find Callum
Callum, from Coventry, Warwickshire, had been on holiday with his family at a nearby caravan park.
Brendan Allen, coroner for Dorset, opened the inquest into Callum’s death at Bournemouth Town Hall.
Philippa Morgan, coroner’s officer, said: 'Callum and his family were on holiday in Dorset and on July 26 this year a number of people were swimming in Rockley Park, Poole.
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Brendan Allen, coroner for Dorset, opened the inquest into Callum’s death at Bournemouth Town Hall
'Some of the young swimmers were in difficulty and Callum went in to try and help them.
'All other swimmers were brought safely to shore but Callum could not be located.
'A search was conducted and he was sadly found deceased on July 30 this year at Lake Pier in Poole.
'Police have confirmed there are no suspicious circumstances.'
The family, from Coventry, had been enjoying the first day of their holiday in a nearby camping site. Pictured: An aerial view of Rockley Park, Poole
A post-mortem was carried out and Dr Robert Blahut provided a medical cause of death of drowning.
Mr Allen adjourned the inquest, with a review hearing due to take place on February 2, 2022.
Following Callum’s death, his mother Ann Marie Osborne said in tribute: 'It’s incredible but that sums up Callum, that’s what he did.
'He put everyone before himself on the daily, he just took pleasure out of helping people.
'Callum was the kind of boy who didn’t hesitate to help anybody.
Tragically, Callum’s body was found in the water at Lake Pier in Hamworthy, Poole, on the morning of July 30
The incident happened in a stretch of water in Dorset that is notorious for its rip tides
'If he saw anyone needing help, be it carrying bags or anything else, he’d be there.
'We have a veteran who walks around near where we live, an old man with a walking stick.
'One cold day, without being asked, Callum took a hat, gloves and a coat and took them over to him.
'That’s the kind of person that Callum was, his heart was so big and we miss him dearly.'
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