Former Exeter Student Drowns in Sea Cave

Former Exeter student drowns after becoming trapped in a sea cave

Charlotte Furness-Smith the tab the tab exeter

A maths teacher and Royal Navy reserve who drowned last week after getting trapped in a sea cave has been named as former Exeter student Charlotte Furness-Smith.

Charlotte, 30, who graduated as an engineer from Exeter University, was washed into the Tilly Whim caves in Dorset on November 2 whilst coasteering with her older brother Alex.

Two lifeboat crews attempted to free the woman after recovering her brother. However, despite talking to her through a blowhole for two hours, they could not rescue her.

Charlotte Furness-Smith

The engineering graduate turned maths teacher joined the Royal Navy reserves during her time at Exeter and went on to volunteer in the second Gulf war in 2008.

Mark Morgan, a family friend, told the London Evening Standard: “She adored the outdoor life and with Alex, those daredevil activities which regrettably went so wrong last weekend.”

Efforts to recover Ms Furness-Smith’s body have been hindered by bad weather conditions, meaning she is still classified as a missing person.