Daughter of SAS hero killed by motorboat in Malaysia

Tragic: Madaline Cole, 25, had qualified as a diving instructor just days before she was struck while snorkelling

The daughter of an SAS hero was killed by motorboat propellers while snorkelling outside of a ‘safe zone’, an inquest heard. 

Madaline Cole, 25, had qualified as a diving instructor just days before she was struck while swimming in the South China Sea in Malaysia. 

The boat’s driver pulled her out of the water following the collision and took her to a local hospital ten minutes away – but when she arrived, no doctors were present.

Her friend, Australian national Simon Rogers, suffered minor injuries in the crash off Pulau Perhentian on May 27, 2013.

An investigation carried out in Malaysia found that newly qualified diving instructor Madaline, known as ‘Maddy’, had been snorkelling outside the safe area marked by buoys.

Police found Maddy, from Bodenham, Herefordshire, did not have a ‘safety sausage’ – a floating piece of equipment to indicate that she was under the water.

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded the death as an accident at Herefordshire Coroner’s Court on Wednesday.

An investigation carried out in Malaysia found that newly qualified diving instructor Madaline, known as 'Maddy', had been snorkelling outside the safe area marked by buoys. Pictured above, Madaline with partner Ross 

An investigation carried out in Malaysia found that newly qualified diving instructor Madaline, known as ‘Maddy’, had been snorkelling outside the safe area marked by buoys. Pictured above, Madaline with partner Ross 

Maddy's boyfriend Ross Makulec said a marker had been wrongly placed where officials placed the point of the collision. Above, the pair together

Maddy's father Bob Cole, 63, had served in the Royal Engineers and the SAS and saw action in the Gulf. Above, Madaline (right)

When Maddy’s father flew out the day after the tragedy, he was told by her boyfriend Ross Makulec (together, right) that a marker had been wrongly placed where officials placed the point of the collision

Chief of police Kamsani Bin Hassan, conducting the Malaysian investigation, also concluded that there was no criminal element and that it was an accident.

Maddy’s father Bob Cole, 63, had served in the Royal Engineers and the SAS and saw action in the Gulf.

Following the second Gulf War he provided security and protection for companies sent out to rebuild Iraq.

When he flew out the day after the tragedy, he was told by Maddy’s boyfriend Ross Makulec that a marker had been wrongly placed where officials placed the point of the collision.

Maddy had expressed her delight on Facebook when she qualified as a scuba instructor in February 2013.

Maddy had expressed her delight on Facebook when she qualified as a scuba instructor in February 2013.

Mr Cole told the inquest: ‘We could see a marker which was clearly quite a way out from the buoy line. It’s a third world country and they’re not used to health and safety and their regard for human life is not what we’re used to.

‘Maddy wasn’t the first person to be hit by a boat there. I watched that area for hours and noticed that boat drivers have a lot of bravado and like to skim along the beach close to the buoy line.

‘There is no need for them to go up to the coast.’

The Malaysian investigation confirmed that Mohd Azwan Bin Mohd was the man driving the boat.

He had dropped passengers off at a nearby resort and was travelling back from the jetty when he hit Maddy, before pulling her out of the water.

She had arrived in Malaysia on April 4 and had been staying at Senja Bay Resort on Pulau Perhentian Besar.

The Perhentians are popular with tourists because of their beautiful waters and coral reefs.

Friends told the inquest Maddy had just qualified as a professional diving instructor when she was killed.

On her diving blog, Maddy, who was pictured swimming with sharks and stroking elephants, was described as having an 'insane amount of love for animals

Speaking after the inquest, Maddy's mum Jill, 63, said she was disappointed at the verdict

On her diving blog, Maddy, who was pictured swimming with sharks and stroking elephants, was described as having an ‘insane amount of love for animals 

Pictured: Madaline Cole alongside her boyfriend Ross before the tragedy in 2013 

Pictured: Madaline Cole alongside her boyfriend Ross before the tragedy in 2013 

Maddy had expressed her delight on Facebook when she qualified as a scuba instructor in February 2013.

She said: ‘After the most stressful 3 days ever – FINALLY we are Open Water Scuba Instructors!!

‘Big thanks to our Instructor Chong! Well done everyone for your achievement and thank you all so so much for all your amazing support!’

On her diving blog, Maddy, who was pictured swimming with sharks, was described as having an ‘insane amount of love for animals.’

Writing on The Seychelles Whale Sharks blog, a friend said: ‘Maddy Cole – Where do we start?

‘This outdoorsy girl has done it all; kayaking, rock climbing, scuba diving, mountain biking, hiking and more.

‘Another person to traipse through the GVI Seychelles dive master halls with a marine background and an insane amount of love for animals.

‘Maddy returned to Seychelles to join the MCSS team in its entire whale shark splendor.’

Speaking after the inquest, Maddy’s mother Jill, 63, said she was disappointed at the verdict.

She said: ‘I feel justice hasn’t been done and I don’t accept it was an accident.

‘Two other people have been killed in that bay in a similar way.’ 

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