Mystery over death of British entrepreneur, 23, who drowned during family trip to Corfu as inquest hears he was found on the ocean floor after swimming across 100 yard stretch of calm sea
- Basil 'Baz' Fisher, 23, died while on a family trip to Corfu in September last year
- He was swimming across a 100-metre stretch of water when he disappeared
- The entrepreneur was found on the ocean floor but could not be resuscitated
- His mother Victoria Fisher said her son 'left an impact on everybody he met'
- Coroner Jason Pegg recorded a conclusion of accidental death by drowning
The mysterious drowning of a 23-year-old British entrepreneur in Corfu cannot be fully explained, a coroner has said.
Basil 'Baz' Fisher died while swimming in the sea off Kerasia Beach, in Kassiopi, on a family trip to the Greek island in September 2020.
He had been swimming with others across a 100-metre stretch of water near their boat when he disappeared.
The inquest was told the sea was calm and there was no current when the 23-year-old drowned.
Mr Fisher, a talented swimmer who had swum for his school and was used to swimming in cold water, was found on the ocean floor a short while after he went missing and could not be resuscitated.
Coroner Jason Pegg told an inquest held in Winchester today that how Mr Fisher came to be submerged under the water could not be 'ascertained'.
He said alcohol and drugs played no part in Mr Fisher's death.
The inquest heard the 23-year-old had a history of epileptic fits but Mr Pegg said these had not contributed to his death.
Basil 'Baz' Fisher died while swimming in the sea off Kerasia Beach, in Kassiopi, on a family trip to the Greek island Corfu in September 2020. Pictured, stock image
Mr Fisher, from Basingstoke, was described by his mother, Victoria Fisher, as a 'very handsome boy' who 'left an impact on everybody he met'.
She told the inquest: 'He had time for everybody and he had a smile on his face for everybody.
'He was happy and fun and he worked hard.
'Everyone loved Baz.'
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On the day Mr Fisher died, the family had been for a morning swim before having lunch at a taverna on the popular Greek island.
Afterwards, he and a couple of others decided to swim from their boat across to the north side of the bay - a distance of about 100 metres.
The waters were calm, with no current, the inquest was told, but his stepfather realised that Mr Fisher was missing and they began searching urgently for him.
Tragically, Mr Fisher was found on the sea floor facing upwards, between 10 and 20 metres off the coast.
Efforts were made to resuscitate him and an ambulance was called but he could not be revived.
Recording a conclusion of accidental death by drowning, Mr Pegg told the inquest: 'Baz became submerged and drowned whilst swimming.
'How he came to be submerged cannot be ascertained.'
He offered his sincere condolences to the Mr Fisher's family.
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