An inquest has concluded that the death of local fisherman Stephen Kitcher, who died from carbon monoxide poisoning while fishing near Newport in 2022, was the result of misadventure.
The 47-year-old father-of-3 was found deceased inside a camping tent – or bivvy – at Blackwater Lake, off Longdown Lane, at 11:32 on 2nd December 2022 when he failed to return home. He had been night fishing when the tragic incident occurred.
Mr Kitcher, an IT professional from Nightingale Road in Newport, died from carbon monoxide poisoning after bringing a camping stove into his tent to keep warm. The stove produced fumes in the sealed environment, leading to his death.
In the days following his sudden death, a fundraiser launched on GoFundMe generated over £13,500 for Steve’s family. He was described as an extremely kind man, genuine and loyal and a devoted husband and father. He loved fishing, motorbikes and Liverpool FC.
Senior Coroner for the Isle of Wight, Caroline Sumeray, has now recorded a conclusion of misadventure following the inquest, which was formally opened in May 2023 and concluded in writing last Thursday (18th September) under Section 9C of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009.
Section 9C of the Coroners and Justice Act 2009 allows senior coroners to decide that an inquest into a death without a jury can be held in writing instead of at a formal court hearing. This is only permissible if the coroner has invited representations from all known interested persons and no one has raised reasonable grounds for a hearing, and if there is no real prospect of disagreement and no public interest in a hearing. This provision provides a flexible option for concluding straightforward, uncontentious cases, potentially avoiding significant stress for bereaved families. This being the case, why did it take Ms Sumeray over two years to bring this matter to a conclusion. Every week we see cases which raise pretty much the same questionregarding Ms Sumeray’s competence and suitability to continue as the Island’s Coroner. I think the public deserve an answer.