A ‘HARD-WORKING and happy’ joiner whose body was found in the River Wheelock died in a tragic accident, an inquest has heard.

Barney Butler, 23, died in the early hours of Saturday, October 5, near his Rushton Drive home.

An inquest heard that Barney’s mum Sarah and brother Tom had gone looking for him after finding his bedroom empty and bike missing, hours after he had returned home from a night out in Nantwich with friends.

He had returned home alone after 1am, and a half-empty can of beer was found in the garden. Blood samples taken were consistent with mild drunkenness.

His bike was found at the end of Sutton Lane, near a bridge over the river where his clothes and personal belongings were discovered.

Knutsford Guardian:

His body was recovered just yards downstream where water was around five foot deep with a reasonable current.

Police and paramedics were called, but Barney had sadly passed away. Officers quickly established that there was no evidence of any suspicious circumstances or third-party involvement.

In a statement read at the inquest, Mrs Butler said Barney’s behaviour had been normal and she didn’t believe he had intended to end his life.

She said: “He was happy at work, keen to please and got on well with his colleagues. He would be heartbroken to know the devastation caused to all around him.”

A friend, Jordan Miller, had been out with Barney on Friday night having just returned from working abroad. They had planned to meet up again the following day.

He said: “Barney was happy with his new job. He was in quite good spirits. He had previously opened up about his emotions and if he had had any problems we would have talked about it.”

Coroner Peter Sigee said: “I find, on the balance of probabilities, that Mr Butler accidentally drowned in the River Wheelock. May I offer my condolences to his family.”