THE distraught husband of a Chorley woman who drowned after falling into the sea in Blackpool is still coming to terms with his grief, his mother told The Citizen this week.

Mark Berry, 36, of Yarrow Road, Chorley, is said to be traumatised following the tragic death of his wife Lisa, 37.

She drowned after plunging over railings opposite Talbot Square, Blackpool, shortly after 11.30pm on Saturday, September 1.

She was swept away by the rough seas and her body was pulled out by a lifeboat crew one-and-a-quarter hours later.

Mark's mother Kathleen, who helps run WK Berry builders, Chapel Lane, Coppull, said the whole family is traumatised by the loss.

She said: "We're in such a state and Mark is not fit to speak to anyone at the moment. He is trying his best to cope, but is so mixed up right now.

"He hasn't been able to watch the television or hear the news as he is so distraught."

Kathleen said Mark and Lisa had not been married for long and have a five-month-old son, Thomas.

She continued: "Mark is seeing a counsellor today (September 4) and I will be speaking to him after that -- it's a terrible time for us all."

Lisa had been visiting her parents in Cleveleys shortly before the incident. A police spokesman said: "At 11.35 on September 1 a man reported his wife had gone over the railings and into the sea, which was very rough and up to the sea wall. A police helicopter was called out and the coastguard launched a number of lifeboats from Blackpool and Lytham.

"At 12.35am on Sunday, Mrs Berry was sighted by the three-man crew of Blackpool lifeboat, but the sea was so rough they had to wait before they could reach her.

"At 12.50am her body was removed from the sea and brought ashore to the lifeboat station where paramedics attended.

"She was then taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital where she was formerly pronounced dead."

He also praised the lifeboat crew who had worked so hard to try to save Mrs Berry: "They are certainly brave men indeed and did a tremendous job in recovering the lady as quickly as they did, albeit to no avail."

Police are now appealing for witnesses to the incident to call them on 01253 293933.

A post mortem examination was carried out on September 3 and the coroner was due to open an inquest into the death at 9.30am the following day.