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Tunnel deaths - inquest opens

The inquest has opened into the death of two friends from Somerset who died in a landslip at Beaminster tunnel in Dorset.

The coroner heard evidence from a pathologist that the death of 67-year-old Rosemary Snell would have been 'rapid' and her friend 72 year Michael Rolfe 'instantaneous'.

The car which the pair were travelling in at the time was left undiscovered for ten days. A full inquest will be heard

Tributes paid to landslip death man

Tributes have been paid to the man who died in the landslip outside Beaminster tunnel in Dorset thirteen days ago. Michael Rolfe from Fivehead near Taunton, was on his way home from a night out with a friend when the car they were in got caught in the mudslide.

His friend, Rosemary Snell who lived in Misterton near Crewkerne also died. Today Dorset Police confirmed that they'd referred their handling of the incident to the Independent Police Complants Commission. The car was left undiscovered for ten days. Richard Lawrence reports.

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Dorset Police refer Beaminster Tunnel incident to IPCC

Dorset Police has released the following statement.

Dorset Police has voluntarily referred the incident relating to the landslip at the Beaminster Tunnel to the Independent Police Complaints Commission. While no areas of concern have been identified, due to the high level of public interest in this incident, Dorset Police is keen to display transparency and to ensure that there is an independent oversight into actions of the force.

Tunnel Death: Photo of retired surgeons house

Two bodies were recovered on Monday after police searched the Beaminster Tunnel, closed after a landslip.

One of the victims has been named locally as Michael Rolfe, and the other as Rosemary Snell from Misterton near Crewkerne in Somerset.

Michael Rolfe is one of the victims of the Beaminster Tunnel tragedy Credit: ITV Westcountry

Tunnel Deaths: Man named locally as Michael Rolfe

Two bodies were recovered on Monday after police searched the Beaminster Tunnel which was closed because of a landslip.

A man has been named locally as Michael Rolfe, the other victim was named as Rosemary Snell from Misterton near Crewkerne in Somerset.

Dorset Police are now referring the Beaminster Tunnel landslip deaths to the Independent Police Complaints Commission.

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