Divorced father fell into freezing lake and drowned while drunk

Divorced Tony Miners, 57, was pulled from the water in a Bradford park on January 3 by police.

An inquest at Bradford Coroner's Court yesterday, heard heard Mr Miners, who lived with his daughter, in Halifax Road, Bradford, had a history of suicide attempts including one just before Christmas. At the time of his death he was due to appear in court.

Analysis of his blood revealed he was more than three times over the drink/drive limit. Two notes were also discovered afterwards – one of which included the message: 'I can't live without her'.

Friend Paul Howley said he had seen Mr Miners sitting on a bench in Harold Park in Park Road, Low Moor. Later, Mr Howley returned to the park and told the inquest: "It was very dark, I shouted his name and thought he might have fallen in.

"I saw footprints near to the edge and I noticed the ice was broken. I rang for help.''

Pc Justin Adams and colleagues raced to the scene and helped retrieve the body.

Det Sgt Phil Jagger said an investigation concluded Mr Miners had gone in head first and banged his head, since the water was only 4ft deep.

Shopkeeper, Stephen Winning, who had sold Mr Miners lager and whisky, said: "He didn't stop long. He said, 'Drink, it has ruined everything, again'. I knew something was wrong because he brought the tablets out."

Ex-wife Patricia Miners told the inquest: "Tony had a great fear of water.

"That is why he always used to sit on the bench near the shallowest part of the lake.''

Coroner Roger Whittaker said: "The cause of his death was drowning. He would have been well-drunk. What contributed to his death was the cold and alcohol.''

He said the notes could be read as an intention to end his life or messages of endearment.

"From the way in which he must have gone into the lake to have ended his life he would not have gone in headfirst. He accidentally, while drunk, fell into that situation and as a result drowned," he concluded.