[Mrluvaluva]

The father of a man who died after getting his foot stuck in a storm drain during the summer's floods told how he first heard of the death from TV.

Mike Barnett, 28, died of hypothermia after he became trapped in a flooded drain for four hours.

In a statement read to an inquest into Mr Barnett's death, his father, also called Michael, said: 'I cannot understand why he had to die. He was a lovely, kind, lively lad and a generous human being.

'My life will never be the same and I miss him enormously.' Mr Barnett said he went to the scene after he was phoned by his son's boss to say he was stuck in the drain, behind a tropical fish businesss in Hull.

But he said police kept him back and advised that he either stayed in a police car or went home.

Mr Barnett said he went home and turned on the television to see coverage of the drama on June 25. He was watching the TV when it stated 'that the male trapped in the drain had died'.

He then waited for 'a number of hours' for a police officer to come and confirm what had happened.

At one point an officer came to his door and just said 'Sorry' before leaving.

Mr Barnett said: 'I didn't know what he was sorry for. Was it an apology for the excessive water on the road or the death of my son?'

The inquest, at the Goodwin Centre in Hull, is due to last nine days.


Original article here

What a way to hear of your sons death. It shouldn't have been allowed to happen.

[GiRTh]

That's terrible. Why did he go home though. If that were my kid I'd have stopped at the scene.

[Sunny_01]

I remember seeing this when it first happened. What a tragic way for your life to end and for your father to have to see it happen to you.

They had I believe considered removing his leg but felt that they would struggle to do it safely and that the water was so dirty the infection would have killed him.

[Jackie]

Yes why did he go home i would have waited in the police car until more news arrived.

[Sunny_01]

I think it was because he could not get anywhere near his son and could actually see him if he watched the tv! who knows folk are strange. I like you would have stayed put, they would not have had a hope in hell of keeping me away from the scene either!

[:)tom:)]

omg that is terrible. espehshely to hear it on the tv. it must have been shocking!

[Christina]

Awww