Teenager died after being dared to jump Kidsgrove canal
TEENAGER Mike Sutton fell into a canal and drowned after being challenged to jump across a lock by his 13-year-old friend, an inquest heard.
The schoolboy is said to have thrown down the challenge as the friends sat beside the Trent and Mersey Canal, in Kidsgrove, in December.
But 19-year-old Mike, pictured, slipped after jumping to the other side of the lock, hit his face and plunged 20 feet into the water.
Friends then looked on in horror as the keen footballer drowned in water at the bottom of the lock.
Yesterday coroner Margaret Jones recorded a verdict of death by misadventure following Mike's death at 5.30pm on Saturday, December 3.
The inquest heard how Mike, of Whitehall Avenue, Kidsgrove, and his 17-year-old girlfriend had met up with two 13-year-old boys and walked to the Red Bull Lock, off Lime Kiln Lane.
The girlfriend, who cannot be named, told the inquest: "We were just sitting there talking, we were on about Christmas.
"Then one of Mike's mates said, 'So when are you jumping the lock?'
"Mike got up and said 'I'll do it now'. He went back, then ran and jumped. I saw him hit his head or chin on the concrete and fall straight in.
"As soon as he hit the water I got straight on the phone to the ambulance.
"I was shouting him. Then I saw his head, he was choking, but trying to talk at the same time. When I looked again I couldn't see him.
"Before it happened I told him not to do it, because it was dark and cold."
Emergency crews took between 10 and 15 minutes to arrive because the teenagers could not give their exact location.
Firefighter Gareth Proctor pulled Mike out of the lock, which is about seven-foot wide, but the youngster could not be saved by paramedics.
A post-mortem examination showed Mike had drowned.
Police interviewed the two 13-year-old boys, who cannot be named, the day after the incident and they denied encouraging Mike to jump across the lock.
North Staffordshire assistant deputy coroner Mrs Jones said: "There is a suggestion one of the young people said, 'Are you prepared to jump across the lock', or words to that effect.
"Exactly what was said is not clear, but what is clear is Mike made his own decision. He took a running jump and missed his footing.
"It was a very sad and tragic incident."
Former Congleton High School pupil Mike, who worked as an engineer at Newcastle-based manufacturer Ashbrook Simon-Hartley, left behind parents Antony and Julie, brother Chris and sister Kayley.
Earlier tribute stories:
Friends turn out in Stoke City tops to remember teen footballer
Teammates tribute to 'little magician' who died in canal lock accident
Parents of drowned teenager pay tribute to 'loving and generous' son
Hockey: Barker treble keeps promotion hopes alive for North Staffs
10 Comments
by stokie9009
Saturday, February 04 2012, 12:36AM
“His Girlfirend said
"Before it happened I told him not to do it, because it was dark and cold."
Perhaps she should have said, don't do it because it is dangerous, stupid and a 13 year old kid at a pub has dared you. He was 19 and should have known better, There is a bridge near to cross the canal for a reason.
Also WHO IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD DO WHAT A 13 YEAR OLD DARES THEM TO DO!!!!
Its a stupid waste of a young life.
My heart goes out to his parents and family and I hope that if one thing good comes out of this is that others learn from his mistake that cost him his life.
I hope the stupid kids who dared him never forget what words can do and how life can be taken away by doing one stupid thing.”
by Huey_Hog
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:36PM
“" Why didnt some one jump in" have you ever stood next to a lock when the waters down? It's a huge drop with no way out.”
by djdaz1210
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:09PM
“Nelsonl has said everything that i was going to write. My prayers are with his family. Peace.”
by Staffsknott
Friday, February 03 2012, 9:37PM
“BTW stipid should read stupid, a slip of the finger.”
by Staffsknott
Friday, February 03 2012, 9:34PM
“Its a terrible tragedy but its also a stipid waste of a life to jump over the canal when there is a bridge right next to the pub.
We will never know what was going through his mind at the time, a dangerous prank, a dare or trying to save time rather than walking over the bridge.
Water safety and canal safety was drilled into us at school when I was young in Kidsgrove. I hope this is a lesson to all and never repeated.”
by Putthebootin
Friday, February 03 2012, 6:50PM
“So they all stood there and watched this tragedy unfold,saw him jump the lock,hit his face on the side,fall back into the lock,surface and appear to choke,and all they did was phone the emergency services?What was the problem didnt they want to get their designer trainers wet? Why didnt some one jump in and at least try and save this young man.Hang your heads in shame"!!”
by stokeandvale
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:54PM
“Yeah, got knocked down by a car, when bobber knocking when 10 years old and fractured my femur, in hospital for 3 months.
R.I.P youth......................”
by nelsonl
Friday, February 03 2012, 12:27PM
“what a tragic loss.
But i think weve all done daft things, and dares when younger, and not looked at the consequences. You realise when older how lucky youve been and how dangerous things are.
a sad loss for his family and friends
condolonces to all”
by O0ohMatron
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:58AM
“It's a bit of a rite-of-passage from what I hear. Lots of men have done it growing up. Even so, it's tragedy.”
by stanley10
Friday, February 03 2012, 11:05AM
“Tragic. The only word really”