A CORONER has been blasted for “woeful and disgusting” remarks made after the tragic death of Richard Guest last summer.

Coroner Peter Brunton criticised beach patrol marshals who he said “dithered” on the coastline as Richard Guest, 74, battled for his life in the sea, trying to save two 13-year-old girls from drowning off the coast of Tywyn last year.

Mr Guest drowned on 4 July, although it is possible he suffered a heart attack due to his exertions in the cold waters.

Speaking at Mr Guest’s inquest in Aberystwyth last year, Mr Brunton raised concerns that the beach marshals “played no part” in the rescue effort and asked “what is the point of having marshals if they don’t enter the sea?”

The coroner added: “This gives cause for concern. They remained totally passive as far as this tragic event was concerned.”

Speaking at Tywyn Town Council's monthly meeting last week, David Williams, an RNLI representative, criticised the coroner.

“He doesn’t have a clue what he’s talking about. Beach wardens are not lifeguards and shouldn’t act as such,” he told town councillors.

“For him to criticise is unacceptable, the comments were woeful, disgusting even.

“The inquest should’ve had the beach wardens present, but they weren’t asked to attend, they did more than they had to.

“His comments were out of order, he’s painted the wardens in a very bad light.”

The coroner has been asked to comment, but none was received by the time of publication