A ship’s crew member fell into the River Nene at Wisbech port, an inquest opening has revealed.  

Oleg Adonin, 51, fell in the early hours of June 23, 2024 and his body was later recovered by the emergency services. 

Details revealed during his inquest opening claimed he fell from a cargo vessel docked at the port called the Baltic Express, owned by the Port of Wisbech.  

But the company’s managing director has since said the incident involved Mr Adonin falling from the quayside around 100m from the ship.  

Caroline Jones, an area coroner for Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, opened the inquest into the tragic death yesterday (Thursday).  

At the brief hearing, she said: “Emergency services were notified of a male having fallen into the River Nene from the Baltic Express, a cargo vessel moored at Wisbech docks.    

“The informant and captain of the ship advised Mr Adonin, who was the chief officer on the boat, had fallen into the water.  

“The crew had not been able to locate him in the dark and had called port authorities who had in turn called emergency services.” 

She added Mr Adonin’s body was located in the water and a paramedic confirmed his death shortly after 2am.  

The hearing was held at Shire Hall, in Alconbury Weald, and Ms Jones said the toxicology analysis from the postmortem is still pending.  

The Baltic Arrow ran aground around two miles downstream from Wisbech Port on June 25.The Baltic Arrow ran aground around two miles downstream from Wisbech Port on June 25. (Image: Chris Bishop) She said: “The matter has now been fixed for a hearing to be dealt with on January 24 of next year by my fellow coroner Ms Gray. 

“I therefore adjourn the matter until that date and in doing so express my condolences to the family of Mr Adonin.” 

The Port of Wisbech owns and operates two vessels: the Baltic Express and the Baltic Arrow.  

The incident involving Mr Adonin happened two days the Baltic Arrow ran aground two miles downstream from Wisbech port.   

The vessel was carrying timber to Wisbech from Riga in Latvia.   

Jim Roberts, managing director of the Port of Wisbech, offered his condolences to Mr Adonin’s family, friends, colleagues and all those affected by his passing.  

He added: “I would like to clarify Mr Adonis did not fall from the vessel.  

“He was on the quayside some 100meters from the ship after returning to the vessel from a trip to the town centre. 

“The police investigated at the time and concluded that Mr Adonis accidentally fell into the river under no suspicious circumstances, and we await the final coroner’s report. 

“It was a pure coincidence that both events happened in the same week, there is an ongoing investigation into the grounding of the [Baltic Arrow] by the Marine Accident Insurance Board. 

“Both the Port of Wisbech and the Wisbech Harbour Authority have given our full cooperation to them, and look forward to their results, which are due shortly.”