Drowned student ‘probably lost in Leeds’

Ben Manning, 17, who was just over twice the drink-drive limit, was not familiar with the city and it is likely he was disorientated and wandered into an area that was badly lit. He probably climbed over a wall, not realising that directly behind it was the River Calder.

Coroner David Hinchliff, recording a verdict of accidental death said: “...we all do silly things when we are young, most of us get away with them, very sadly on this occasion this was not the case.”

The teenager was reported missing on Saturday, January 22, after he failed to return to his home in Swillington, Leeds.

An inquest in Wakefield yesterday heard Ben may have wandered close to the river as he tried to follow a railway line, hoping it would lead him home.

He was a keen music-lover, had been at a gig and had arranged a lift home, but had opted to go out with his friends afterwards instead. He later got separated from his friends and was picked up on closed circuit TV cameras walking alone out of the city centre towards the river.

It is not known exactly what happened next but it is likely that the student, who was studying for his A-Levels and who the hearing was told wanted to be a history teacher, had got to Thornes Lane Wharf, which was dark and had climbed over a wall not realising the river was on the other side.

A major police search was launched to find Ben, many friends, family and members of the public joining in, but his body was found 12 days later in the river. A post-mortem examination found he died of drowning.

Speaking after the hearing Ben’s mother, Christine Manning, called for the area where her son is thought to have disappeared to be better lit and warning signs put up. There are metal steps that go over the wall and his family are keen to trace the owner.