Inquest Opens Into Wedding Fireworks Deaths

An inquest has opened into two deaths during a fireworks explosion at a wedding in the Lake District last August. Organiser Andrew Coates, 41, and his 46-year-old assistant Polly Connor were preparing a display within the grounds of a luxury cottage belonging to Mr Coates’ business partner, John Simpson, who was also the groom. Firefighters found the bodies of Mr Coates and Mrs Connor - both parents and from Kendal - near the entrance of the outbuilding.