University student 'likely' to have drowned in river trying to save someone heard shouting for help, coroner says

A student who drowned in a river was “more than likely” trying to rescue someone who had been shouting for help, an inquest has heard.

Thomas Jones, 18, disappeared on a freshers’ night out, days after moving to Worcester to start university last September.

His body was pulled from the River Severn nine days later following a major search.

Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams said the circumstances of the teenager’s death “have not been fully explained”.

But CCTV cameras in the area where Jones was last seen picked up a cry for help moments before he apparently slipped and fell down an embankment at 3.50am on 19 September.

Police officer Chris Buffery, who gave evidence at the inquest, said he could not be certain but it was likely the University of Worcester student had either gone to help another person or had gone to the river to urinate.

The coroner added Jones was “exactly the sort of person who would have seen if he could have helped”.

Worcestershire Coroner’s Court heard Jones, from Bromsgrove, had an alcohol level in his system which would have made him a little over twice the drink-drive limit.

Mr Williams said this “would have debilitated him to an extent” after he slipped and fell.

Jones had sent a photo to friends at 3.45am and said he was two minutes away from his student accommodation, but he never arrived home.

Two 20-year-old men were arrested on suspicion of murder as police investigated his disappearance. But they were later released without charge and the inquest heard there was no suggestion of any third party involvement in Jones‘s death.

The coroner broke down as he told teenager’s family: “I have been doing this job for 30 years and it still gets to me. We do not have any sufficient evidence to say that this was an accident or indeed anything else. From what I said I think it is likely your boy heard someone calling for help and went to see if he could help.

“In your son’s case, with great regret, I reach an open conclusion.”

Jones, a West Bromich Albion fan, had been due to start a course in primary education before his death.

Speaking after the inquest, his father Ian said on behalf of the family: “We accept the findings and subsequent conclusion following today’s hearing. The past few months have been unbearably difficult to come to terms with life without Tom and we very much appreciate the overwhelming support and respect from all involved, including the media, during this time and trust this will remain whilst we continue to rebuild our lives and work around the devastating loss of Tom.”

Additional reporting by agencies