A 'fit and healthy' man who never came home after he went to watch football at the pub with friends died in a 'tragic accident', an inquest has heard.
A huge search operation was launched for Christopher Barlow, 31, after he failed to return to his family home or make contact with his parents after a night out on June 3 of this year. He was reported missing by his mum on June 4, and his body was tragically discovered two days later in the Peak Forest Canal in Marple.
An inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court on Tuesday (November 21) heard how Mr Barlow had a 'raised' blood alcohol level which suggested he would have been intoxicated at the time of his death. Coroner Chris Morris concluded it was 'probable' the 31-year-old 'stumbled or fell into the canal whilst intoxicated and was unable to rescue himself'.
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Giving evidence Mr Barlow's mother described him as a 'really nice person' who 'liked to have a laugh and a joke'. She said he didn't go out a lot, and had informed her of his plans to watch a football match at the Royal Oak pub that evening.
She added he would sometimes stay the night with a friend if he had been out drinking, so she first became concerned for his wellbeing after he failed to return home or make contact by the afternoon of Sunday June 4. By the evening, she became so worried she reported Mr Barlow as missing to Greater Manchester Police.
Detective Inspector Kelly-Ann Lawson explained how the next morning, Mr Barlow was classed as a 'high risk' missing person due to the fact he was likely intoxicated, and the route investigations suggested he had taken home along a body of water.
She said police had seen Mr Barlow's journey on a number of CCTV cameras leading up to the canal path, and that he appeared to be walking alone. His body was discovered by an underwater search team between locks seven and eight of the canal on the morning of June 6.
Ms Lawson said he had been found still carrying all the possessions he had been understood to have on him, and there was no suggestion or evidence of any third party involvement in his death.
A toxicology report found Mr Barlow's blood alcohol level to be 260 milligrams per decilitre - an amount consultant pathologist Dr Andrew Yates said was enough to suggest he was intoxicated, but not enough to be the cause of his death. He added an external examination of the body had shown Mr Barlow's lungs were 'slightly overinflated' and found the medical cause of death as drowning.
Concluding, Mr Morris said the medical cause of death was drowning, and ruled Mr Barlow's death a 'tragic accident'. He said there was no suggestion Mr Barlow had intended to harm himself.
Shortly after Mr Barlow's death, Marple Cricket Club and Mellor Football Club, who he had been connected with, both issued heartfelt tributes for a man they called 'one of the best'.
A spokesperson for Marple Cricket Club wrote online: "We are devastated that such an integral part of Marple Cricket Club has gone so soon.
"Fantastic on the field, brilliant off the field - Chris was someone who made Marple CC better in every way. We offer our deepest condolences and support to the Barlow family at this difficult time. Love you mate."
A Mellor FC spokesperson tweeted: "It is with absolute great sadness that what we feared, has been confirmed. As a club we are absolutely heartbroken.
"Please respect family wishes at this moment in time and give them time to grieve. RIP Chris Barlow, one of the best, you will never be forgotten."
