Student canal death fall after night out drinking

More action needs to be taken to improve the safety of the canals network, a coroner has concluded following the accidental death of a student on a night out.

Cheshire coroner Victoria Davies issued a prevention of future deaths report to the Canal & River Trust after William Webb, 21, fell into the Shropshire Union canal in Chester.

The University of Chester student, from Lancashire, was reported missing when he failed to return home after drinking with friends in the city centre on the evening of 22 November.

His inquest in February was told CCTV footage showed him walking along a path alongside the water at about 04:30 GMT the next morning before "likely accidentally falling into the canal".

The body of Webb, from Baxenden, near Accrington, was discovered the following day.

Davies said there was no safety equipment which could assist someone in the water, and that the distance between the water level and the ground edge would make it difficult to get out of the canal unaided.

She said there was also no signage nearby to alert people to the potential risks posed by the canal.

The coroner added: "Whilst this is a generalisation... students as a group are within the demographic of people who will attend the bars, pubs and nightclubs of Chester and become inebriated to varying degrees.

"Once under the influence of alcohol - or perhaps another substance - it is then not inconceivable that they then take less care/are more willing to engage in risky behaviours.

"The canal is near to their accommodation, which makes it more likely that they will be in that area."

Davies concluded: "In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken."

A statement from the Canal & River Trust said: "Our thoughts are with the family and friends of William Webb following his tragic death last November.

"Our charity will carefully consider and respond to the notice received from the coroner.

"Working alongside partners and building upon experience across the national canal network, water safety is, and always will be, a priority for the Trust."

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