A woman has drowned after she was dramatically swept out to sea after trying to take photos of a famous lighthouse.
Dora Mango, 26, died near Beachy Head in Eastbourne, Sussex on October 24 during a trip up from Surrey when she was swept off a rock by a crashing wave and found face-down in the sea soon after, an inquest heard last week.
The Hungarian-born pharmacist had been walking along the sand to take photos of the Beachy Head lighthouse with her partner Jerry when they were suddenly cut off, leaving them to quickly look for a way back to shore amid rising tides.
After they "screamed" for help and had multiple attempts to use their mobile phones fail due to lack of signal, the inquest in Eastbourne heard Jerry describe how he swam back to shore to find rescue, while Dora placed herself on top of a rock.
He then found passer-by Stuart Walker along with his partner on the beach, who called 999 and gave assistance as Jerry tried to find a way back to the rocks.
Recalling the incident as he gave evidence to the court, Stuart said: "Jerry came up to us and we could see he was wet through. I don't think he had shoes on, he was distressed. He told us that his girlfriend was stranded around the corner and she was still there.
"I went back as far as I could to get a signal. I called 999 about four times because the signal kept breaking up. We tried to see if we could use our belts to get around the rock, Jerry was shouting out with pain, it's incredibly painful to run on the pebbles there."
Jerry immediately jumped back into the sea after seeing two rucksacks floating in the water, before quickly getting out again as the conditions prevented him from swimming.
She was last seen alive calling for help on top of the rocks.
East Sussex Coroner Laura Bedford read statements from the Maritime Coastguard Agency, which described a large scale emergency response involving multiple lifeboats as well as a rescue team and two helicopters.
Dora's body was eventually located and taken to shore where she was given CPR before being flown to King's College Hospital in London. The incident was reported as lasting a total of one hour and 40 minutes.
Dora was pronounced dead at 4pm after she had arrived at the hospital with no pulse at 3.30pm, the inquest heard.
An investigation of the site by Coroner's officer David Tye found there were " significant indications to warn walkers" about the dangerous conditions at high tide, with signage reading 'No exit at high tide' and 'No safe access beyond this point'.
Walking times and a tide timetable were also provided.
But Mr Walker, who visits that area of the beach several times a week, interrupted the inquest to say the signs were "new", adding: They used to just have a chalkboard with timings written."
Coroner Ms Bradford concluded: "The post-mortem examination on Ms Mango's body concluded the cause of death was immersion in seawater and probable drowning.
"They intended to go down to the beach but the action went wrong and Dora sadly passed away."
He reached a short form conclusion of death by misadventure.
