Drowned partygoer’s death ruled an accident

A man found in a submerged car after disappearing during a stag night might have driven into the river without realising it was there, an inquest has heard.

Charles Watson, 25, of Henstead in Suffolk, was found in his car in the New Cut waterway between the rivers Yare and Waveney in St Olaves, Norfolk, on April 13.

Mr Watson, known as Sam, was last seen on a night out in Great Yarmouth at 1.40am on April 9.

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An inquest at Norwich Coroner’s Court heard that the alcohol level in his body was almost three times the legal drink-drive limit. Friends said he seemed in good spirits and in control of himself.

Coroner William Armstrong said his alcohol consumption may have contributed to the accident and hindered any attempt to escape as the car flipped and sunk.

Crash investigator Sgt Andy Hood said evidence suggested Mr Watson attempted to escape but, disorientated by being upside down and by alcohol, had accidentally lowered the wrong electric window.

“There were no mechanical defects with the car. Because of the way the road is, drivers can’t always see the river beyond,” Sgt Hood said.

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Mr Watson was out celebrating at his friend Paul Miller’s stag do. At the end of the night Mr Miller’s father-in-law offered the group lifts home but Mr Watson declined.

Mr Miller said: “Sam was a quite, kind, considerate and helpful person. On the night he seemed in control of himself. We went bowling and I could hardly hit the skittles but he was getting strikes.”

Mr Watson arranged to stay with a colleague after the night out. He sent a text message at 3.15am saying that he found somewhere else to stay. Police believe the car entered the water at 3.16am.

One theory is that he stopped to send the message from the side road and as he turned around, accidentally drove his Volkswagen Golf into the river.

Mr Armstrong recorded a verdict that Mr Watson died an accidental death from drowning.