Boating tragedy mother tells of bill anger
The mother of a nine-year-old girl who died during a school boating trip says she was sent a bill for badges and photographs weeks after her daughter's death.
Lesley Bee says Boundary Oak School, in Fareham, Britian, sent her a bill for £8.70 for photographs, badges, stationery and insurance, just four weeks following the death of daughter Elizabeth.
On Thursday, an inquest jury ruled science master Paul Dove's neglect had contributed to the accidental death of the youngster during a boating lesson in Portsmouth Harbour in 1999.
Mrs Bee, of Waterlooville, Hampshire, said about the bill: "I was devastated, I couldn't believe it."
Boundary Oak School headmaster Roger Bliss told the Portsmouth News that bills would have been sent out at the end of term.
As they had not been paid by September 16 - the day Elizabeth drowned - the school covered the insurance premium so Mrs Bee could make a claim.
He said: "There was later a discussion between our bursar and Mrs Bee whereupon she was adamant she wanted to clear her accounts with the school.
"We did not want to send her the bill because we did not want to create further distress."
The school has offered to pay any compensation claim made by Mrs Bee in full, accepting its moral and legal responsibility for Elizabeth's death.
Mr Bliss was unavailable for comment today.
