Investigation and inquest
On the 16.6.16 I commenced an investigation into the death of Flavio Rafael Pizarro.
Circumstances of the death
The deceased died after her entered the water at Lock 62 by jumping into the canal with friends. There were no signs warning of the dangers of swimming or safety aids. After entering the canal the deceased got into difficulties as he was unable to swim. Despite rescue attempts by passers-by and attending police and fire personnel the deceased spent a significant period submerged. Having been removed from the water he was conveyed to Manchester Children’s Hospital where he died on 14 June 2016.
Coroner’s concerns
There was no signage warning of the dangers of swimming or safety aids at Lock 62 or within the nearby vicinity. There remains no signage at all locks in the immediate area and children continue to play in and near the water despite correspondence dated 5 July 2016 from the Canal % River Trust that stated that signs would be erected at all locks in the immediate vicinity. Future deaths could be prevented by the presence of signs and safety aids.