Mystery still surrounds the circumstances in which the body of a young “healthy” man from Luton ended up in the Great River Ouse in Bedford.
Felix Yorke, 25, of Butterworth Path, was found in the river by a passer-by on January 1, over a month since he was reported missing by his worried family.
Bedford Coroner’s Court heard today (May 4) how Felix, who lived with his family, had travelled to Bedford from Luton Airport Parkway Railway Station at around 5.30pm on November 30 after he finished work at Topman in The Mall Luton.
Evidence was heard by pathologist Doctor Kwame Adu Poku who told the court that there was no evidence of foul play by way of trauma to the body, and there was no trace of any drugs or alcohol in the body.
He said: “It is my belief that the gentleman died from immersion, which is where the body suffers a sudden cardiac arrest almost as soon as it hits the water.
“The brain was a little swollen, which is normal if a sudden death occurs, But there was no water found in the body that would indicate there had been a struggle.”
He added: “If there is evidence Felix tried to swim I could not discount that, but on the balance of probabilities I believe that he died almost instantly.”
The court also heard from Anglian Water employee Peter Hyde, who was working near the Star Rowing Club by the river on that night. He called police after believing he heard somebody fall into the river.
In a statement to police he said: “I was in the process of setting up some lights when I heard a loud splashing sound from the other side of the river.
“Then I heard a load of ducks or swans squawking and making loads of noise, and I then I thought I saw an arm movement and heard what sounded like coughing and spluttering.
“I went over and shouted ‘are you alright’ because I was sure it was a human but I heard nothing.
After calling his brother he then called the police.
Mr Hyde also made a another statement several days later saying that he remembered seeing a black Astra travelling at some speed in the area around 15 minutes after he thought had seen the person in the river.
After an extensive search the emergency services did not find anything in the river,
PC Darren Walker from the Missing Persons Unit told the court that following a media appeal another witness came forward.
PC Walker said: “Some days later a gentleman went to the police and reported that on that night he had come across a white man who gave every indication of being in the river at that time.”
However, Mr Amos said he could not be sure that any of these facts can be directly linked with the death of Felix.
He concluded: “Despite hearing all these facts, this does not mean that I can conclude that Felix fell into the river.
“I cannot conclude that there was any link between the car that was seen by the river and Felix.
“And I cannot conclude that there is any link between what Mr Hyde saw and the other gentleman recalled he saw.”
He added: “I have no idea why Felix would have made the journey to Bedford. That question hangs over this inquest and I would imagine is one asked by the family a thousand times.
“I am sorry we cannot shed any light on this and the circumstances surrounding Felix’s death.”
Mr Amos recorded an open verdict.