Mr Barnett had cleared debris from the same drain in an earlier flood

Mike Barnett, 28, died of hypothermia after being trapped by his foot in raging water for four hours on 25 June.

His father Michael told an inquest in Hull that he had gone to the scene in Hessle after being telephoned by his son's boss to say he was stuck.

He said officers kept him back and told him to stay in a police car or go home.

'Cannot understand'

In a statement read to the inquest, Mr Barnett said he went home and turned on the television to watch coverage of the drama, when it stated that "the male trapped in the drain had died".

Was it an apology for the excessive water on the road or the death of my son? Michael Barnett

He said he then waited for a number of hours for a police officer to come and confirm what had happened.

An officer later came to his door and said "sorry", before leaving, Mr Barnett said.

"I didn't know what he was sorry for", he told the inquest.

"Was it an apology for the excessive water on the road or the death of my son?"

'Stay away'

Earlier, Mr Barnett described to the jury how his son had come home drenched 10 days earlier after trying to clear debris from the same drain.

A grate from the drain, which was behind the tropical fish business where Mike worked, was removed by a digger during the floods of 15 June.

It was replaced by a temporary grille, which he got stuck in on 25 June.

Mr Barnett told the Hull inquest: "I told him to stay away from the drains."

He added: "We loved each other so much. Nobody expects to bury their son.

"I cannot understand why he had to die. He was a lovely, kind, lively lad and a generous human being."