THIS time however not a drunk student staggering into the river at night, but a a man, though knowing he could not swim, who jumped into a river when urged by his 'friends' and drowned.
Hamza Shabbir Ali, aged 20, the inquest heard was a promising cricketer and expected to play at the top level of the game having already been picked for Hampshire's first XI, Alan Tilbury tells us.
Became submerged
But he drowned after being persuaded to jump into the river, which he did and quickly became submerged whilst trying what was described as a 'doggy paddle' across the Avon near Bath.
It was told that two of his 'friends', even though knowing he could not swim were encouraging him into the water near the Jolly Sailor pub.
The two just stood on the bank
A witness told the inquest that two people were encouraging Manza to get into the water, and he eventually did, but was soon seen to be struggling, but the two who had encouraged him just stood on the bank and watched. A stranger jumped in to attempt to save him, seeing he was panicking and going under, but even after several attempts was unsuccessful, but the two 'friends' still stood there, not even calling the emergency services.
Several onlookers dived into the water to search, then his motionless body floated to the surface around 10 minutes later. He was pulled out and CPR was administered before ambulance crews arrived. Then he was airlifted to Bristol Royal Infirmary where he was later pronounced dead.
Tragic
The Coroner, Dr Peter Harrowing, in his summing-up, remarked:
"It's always tragic when anyone loses their life in such circumstances, he was a young man of only 20 years of age and was destined for a successful career as a cricketer."
Dr Harrowing recorded accidental death.