Daniel Hodgin drowned in River Severn after towpath gate was left open, inquest told

Shropshire Coroner, John Ellery, recorded a conclusion of "accidental death due to immersion in water", at the inquest of Daniel Hodgin, 20, of Madeley, Telford.

Mr Hodgin had gone missing in the early hours of Sunday, November 23, 2014, following a night out in Shrewsbury with friends.

Police search teams discovered Mr Hodgin's body in the River Severn at Cressage, on December 31.

During the inquest Mr Ellery said it was probable Mr Hodgin had gone through a gate to the River Severn on Dorset Street, Shrewsbury, after getting lost at around 5.30am.

The inquest heard the gate should have been shut and locked when the river level reached 1.95 metres at the Welsh Bridge - police reports say it was between 1.99 and 2 metres when Mr Hodgin went missing.

Tim Sneddon, Shropshire Council's operations manager for environmental maintenance said the gate had not been closed because the Environment Agency had not notified the council of the water level.

He said: "On my finding of fact had that gate been closed and locked Daniel would have not gone through it.

"The evidence is that at or soon after he last spoke with you (Lorraine Firmstone, Mr Hodgin's mother) he then walked down the steps, quite how far he got we do not know, but there or thereabouts he has probably stepped into the river or slipped.

"It does look like that Daniel has entered the river at, or soon after the last contact and it looks like it was at or near Dorset Street. There is no evidence that Daniel travelled on foot or any other great distance because he would have contacted someone so I think it is clear that Daniel has entered the river at or soon after the last contact at 5.27am, at or near the Dorset Steps entrance to the towpath."

Mr Ellery said: "For someone coming down the steps with the river up to the towpath, he could have possibly believed he was just in a puddle and gone into the river without even realising."

The inquest heard that Mr Hodgin had been out drinking with friends at the Buttermarket nightlcub before they became separated.

He had become lost and was last heard from when he spoke to his mother Lorraine Firmstone, by telephone at around 5.27am. She had arranged to go and pick him up.

Mr Ellery said he would be writing to Shropshire Council and the Environment Agency to ensure that they liaise over river levels to make sure the gate is closed.

He said: "I shall write focusing on the river levels and gauges so the Environment Agency and Shropshire Council can work together so that when levels of the river reach a dangerous level then the plan to shut and lock the gate can be effectively implemented."