SENSACIONES
6th December 2008, 08:37
The brother of a diver who tragically died while exploring a sunken wreck off Malta has told an inquest about the moment he had to identify him.
Brett Swain attended the opening of the inquest into the death of his brother Paul Swain, 49, who lived in Kilnwick Close, Billingham and grew up in Greatham.
Mr Swain's younger brother told town coroner Malcolm Donnelly how he flew to Malta and spent some time looking at his brother's body before finally concluding that it was definitely him.
He said: "He wasn't immediately recognisable because of the state the body was in," said Brett. "But I did actually recognise him, it was a very difficult thing for me to do."
Mr Donnelly said: "Have you any doubt in your mind that that was your brother?"
"Yes that was definitely my brother, I have no doubt," Brett added.
Mr Donnelly adjourned the inquest until he receives a post mortem examination report from pathologist Dr Jan Lowe.
Brett Swain attended the opening of the inquest into the death of his brother Paul Swain, 49, who lived in Kilnwick Close, Billingham and grew up in Greatham.
Mr Swain's younger brother told town coroner Malcolm Donnelly how he flew to Malta and spent some time looking at his brother's body before finally concluding that it was definitely him.
He said: "He wasn't immediately recognisable because of the state the body was in," said Brett. "But I did actually recognise him, it was a very difficult thing for me to do."
Mr Donnelly said: "Have you any doubt in your mind that that was your brother?"
"Yes that was definitely my brother, I have no doubt," Brett added.
Mr Donnelly adjourned the inquest until he receives a post mortem examination report from pathologist Dr Jan Lowe.