Boy, 14, died after being buried by sand while tunnelling in a dune to escape wind
Tragic Eoin Corcoran was desperately pulled from the sand by his young friend and a passing dog walker
A TEENAGER died after being buried by sand while TUNNELLING in a dune to seek shelter from the wind, an inquest heard.
Tragic Eoin Corcoran, 14, was submerged from the knees up when tonnes of sand collapsed and crushed him.
A young friend who was with him desperately tried to pull him out and was joined by passing dog walker Matthew Robins who heard him calling 'help, help me'.
Mr Robins told the inquest said: "I was hoping in my heart of hearts to see a group of kids having a laugh and then I saw the legs.
"It was a huge effort [to pull him out]."
Mr Robins added: "I felt hopeless from the moment I saw Eoin's face, but you just have to keep going."
The youngster died from sand inhalation and traumatic asphyxiation after being buried for around ten minutes in one of the biggest dunes on St Ouen's Bay in Jersey on February 5.
Eoin had started digging a tunnel into what is known in the area as the "100-footer" with his friend in an attempt to seek shelter from the wind but it collapsed.
He was eventually pulled free with each rescuer taking one foot each and Mr Robins tried to resuscitate him for around 30 minutes but was unsuccessful.
Paramedics later arrived at the scene and the youngster was taken to hospital but was declared dead at 8.10pm.
Advocate Mark Harris said it was likely that Eoin died while being buried in the sand.
He said: "They (the attempted rescuers) should be commended, but it is a very likely truth that Eoin died while buried in the sand and before help could be obtained."
Eoin's father Michael Corcoran paid tribute to his son at the inquest and described him as "a beautiful boy."
He added: "We loved him dearly and he gave us a lot of love."
Eoin's school at Les Quennevais described the Year 10 pupil as a "gentle and caring young boy".
Mr Robins was commended for his actions by Eoin's father and Deputy Viscount Mark Harris at the hearing.
People are now being warned about the dunes and The Environment Department on the island is reviewing signage in the dunes to see if it needs to be improved.
The department has also offered to work with schools to make pupils aware of the dangers.
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