A CORONER raised ‘grave concerns’ over people who drown after nights out at an inquest into a 40-year-old man’s death.

The inquest heard that Mark David Atherton, of Hamilton Street, Blackburn, drowned in the Leeds and Liverpool Canal as he walked home after drinking with work friends in the Infirmary pub in the town.

He was found in the canal on June 25 by a mum who was walking to Asda with her boyfriend and daughter.

Coroner Michael Singleton said: “There was no witnesses who saw him going in the water.

“There are no suggestions of foul play or any natural disease that could result in collapse.”

He read a statement from the Missing People charity where Geoff Newiss said: “This appears to be a growing problem. In the first four months of 2011 alone, nine men are known to have died in these circumstances across the country.

“These are tragic cases in which families and friends can be left not knowing what has happened to their loved ones for weeks before their fate is discovered.”

Mr Singleton said: “I am concerned about such matters.

It is a safety issue that coroners are gravely concerned about. You have my heartfelt condolences.”

Consultant pathologist Dr Muhammad Aslam told the inquest in Blackburn yesterday that the results of the post mortem examination were consistent with drowning.

He said: “The only significant findings were in the lungs. The results were consistent with drowning.

“There was alcohol in his urine that was four times the driving limit.”

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.