ONE of the country’s most senior coroners has died at the age of 90.

Hamish Turner was appointed HM coroner for Torbay and South Devon in 1982 having served as deputy coroner for the previous 17 years.

He was secretary of the South Western Coroners Society and a member of the National Committee of the Coroners Society of England and Wales and was appointed national president in September 2002. 

His concerns about drug-related deaths led to him establishing Drug Watch, a bit to co-ordinate anti-drug efforts in Torbay.

Known to coroners nationally over many years for organising their high-profile annual conference in Torquay in 2003, he achieved wider recognition from his appearance in a Channel 4 television programme Hand in the Water.

He retired in October 2003 but continued as assistant deputy for the next 10 years.

He was involved in many charities and voluntary organisations in Devon. 

His funeral will be held on Tuesday, September 5, at St Luke’s Church, St Luke’s Road, Torquay at 12 noon.