Inquest opens into drowning of Dewsbury brothers near St Annes

Ali Athar Shabbir, 16, and his brother Muhammad Shabbir, 18, got into trouble in the water on August 15.

Their bodies were found washed up one day later one mile from St Annes pier.

At a pre-inquest hearing at Blackpool Town Hall, coroner Andrew Cousins said the day-long investigation would discuss 'the relevance of signage and the posting of tide times around the coastal area'.

He said: "The relevance of the signage and the tide is one of my main issues here.

"I'm quite happy to give permission for the council to enter any further evidence it would like to in relation to anything which has been changed since this accident, such as signs put up or changes to procedures."

It is believed that Muhammad and Ali, from Dewsbury, were cut off by the tide while on the beach.

Their 15-year-old male cousin managed to swim to safety and was treated for hypothermia.

An inquest into the deaths of the two boys was opened in August, when a court heard the cause of death was drowning.

Mr Cousins arranged a full inquest for Wednesday, February 24 next year.

Evidence will be heard from doctors, police officers, family members, Fylde Council staff and a number of witnesses.

Muhammad and Ali’s parents appeared at the hearing using a video link, as did solicitor Ian Curtis, on behalf of Fylde Council.