The body of the retired mayor, 65, who drowned windsurfing in Norfolk was found flushed in Sweden
The body of a retired councilor who drowned after windsurfing in 40 mph winds was found washed 600 miles away in Sweden, an investigation heard today.
Chris Bamfeld, 65, who was a very experienced windsurfer, was seen out on his board on November 14 last year in Hunstanton, Norfolk.
His wife, Vanessa Bamfield, reported him missing at 5.17pm the same day when it got dark and he had failed to return to their home in Middleton, near King’s Lynn.
Chris Bamfeld (pictured), 65, who was a very experienced windsurfer, was seen out on his board on November 14 last year in Hunstanton, Norfolk
The forensic pathologist in Norfolk heard how an extensive search was launched for Bamfield with six search and rescue teams, lifeboats and two aircraft with fixed wings.
The search, which covered the entire area of The Wash, was suspended on the morning of November 16 when it was assumed that he had disappeared at sea.
His windsurfing board and its red and white sails were later found in the North Sea about 220 km off the coast of Norfolk.
His body was washed up on April 6 this year on Stora Korno beach in Bohuslän.
Norfolk police were informed by Interpol on April 20 that a body that matched Mr Bamfield’s description had been found.
The investigation heard that DNA tests confirmed that the remains were those of Mr Bamfield.
He had recently retired as CEO of King’s Lynn and West Norfolk Borough Council.
An autopsy performed in Sweden stated his main cause of death as drowning, but found that he also had circulatory problems.
Reports from Mr Bamfield’s GP confirmed that he had been diagnosed with high cholesterol, but had refused statin medication because he wanted to treat himself through diet and exercise.
The Norfolk Council’s forensic doctor Yvonne Blake registered a conclusion about unintentional death due to drowning during windsurfing.
She said water found in Mr Banfield’s lungs had confirmed he had drowned.
The search team for Chris Bamfield involved several rescue agencies including police, RNLI, the Coast Guard and the search and rescue service who all searched extensively for three days
Blake said: “Even though he had some high cholesterol, it did not appear to be in the terrible range. As I understand it, it was not a heart attack area.”
She added: ‘He would go out and do something he liked. He had done it for many years and had all the right equipment.
“It seems that a fairly large search was initiated and some time later he was found in Sweden and identified by his DNA profile.”
When she spoke to Bamfield’s widow and daughter who was at the hearing, Blake expressed sadness that it had taken almost five months for his body to be found.
She said: ‘I am sorry for the loss and all the uncertainty. It’s getting worse. ‘
Mr Bamfield’s daughter Ashton said her father had been out windsurfing at lunchtime, meaning he had plenty of daylight left.
She said: ‘I do not want anyone to think he was extremely ruthless, because he was not ruthless at all.’
Miss Bamfield described her father in a statement read to the interrogations as a “devoted” husband and father who was “full of care and love for family and friends” and a proud official for 29 years.
She added that he had been looking forward to his retirement and had plans to travel the world with his wife and spend time with his family.
Miss Bamfield said: ‘He had a passion for sports. Golf and windsurfing were at the top of the list. He played golf most days and had played on courses all over the country and in Europe and America. ‘
She said he had “recently revived his love of windsurfing” and had windsurfed in many places around the UK.
Miss Bamfield noted that her father had struggled with back pain and fatigue in the weeks before his death, but he removed the family’s concern for his health and said he was fine.
She said: ‘The day he disappeared and those who followed were the worst days of our lives. The only consolation was knowing he was doing something he loved. ‘
Miss Bamfield also thanked everyone involved in the search for her father.
Public buildings lit red in King’s Lynn to honor Mr Bamfield on the day of his funeral in June this year
She said: ‘The shock and horror of knowing we would never see him again was indescribable.
“It’s a horrible thing not to have the opportunity to say goodbye to someone you appreciate so much.
“He really was an amazing man, and we were so proud of him and everything he has achieved in his life. Our lives will never be the same without him. We miss him terribly.
Detective Ollie Newell at Norfolk Police said CCTV images had shown Mr Bamfield leaving his black BMW car near the Hunstanton Sailing Club and walking to the beach with his board in his winter suit.
He said Mr Bamfield had gone out in 40 mph southerly and southeasterly winds which he described as “difficult conditions”.
Two other windsurfers who knew him later saw him sailing near the shore on the afternoon of November 14, where he had difficulty making progress due to winds being disturbed by the coastline.
But they insisted he “did not fight as he should,” said Sergeant Newell.
Public buildings lit red in King’s Lynn to honor Mr Bamfield on the day of his funeral in June this year.
Council staff also observed a minute of silence for him.