A man drowned after his dingy got into difficulties at a section of rapids on the River Eden near Lazonby, an inquest heard.
Lee Newton, aged 40, of Workington, had got the train to Langwathby on the morning of Saturday, 3rd April, with three friends with the intention of sailing on the river and camping out overnight.
He was in a two-man boat with Wayne Harrison who told the inquest that they had all had a few cans of lager and were all in good spirits.
Mr Harrison said that after having a break on the shoreline, during which they continued to drink and have a good time, they set off again.
All was going well until they came up under the railway line near Force Mill, Eden Lacy, and things started to go wrong, the inquest was told.
“I noticed we were coming up to some rapids, and I told Lee, who was sitting in the front of my boat, to hold on tight,” said Mr Harrison.
But as their boat went over the rapids it became stuck and Lee got out of the boat and on to a rock and managed to push it free.
After getting the dingy moving again, Lee was left standing on a rock in the middle of the rapids. He then jumped into the water and got into difficulties.
He was thrown a life vest, but was unable to reach it and after a few minutes he disappeared from view.
PC Brownrigg, who was called to the scene, said he viewed CCTV footage from a nearby holiday cottage which showed Lee and Wayne become stuck at 2.55pm.
Three minutes later, Lee is seen on a rock when he manages to free the boat.
Shortly before 3.05pm, Lee jumps into the water and disappears a number of times and then disappears downstream. He is last seen at 3.07pm.
Following a search and rescue operation, Lee’s body was recovered at about 8.45pm. He was pronounced dead at 9pm.
A witness who was walking by the river at about 3pm on the day in question told the inquest that Lee may have gone into a whirlpool when he jumped into the river.
Toxicology results showed that the level of alcohol in Lee’s blood was 208mcg per 100ml. Cocaine and other drugs were also present.
The cause of death was said to be drowning to which drugs and alcohol may have contributed.
“This was a sunny, joyful day among friends which went tragically wrong,” said coroner Ms Kirsty Gomersal.
“Lee Newton was a beloved son, father and adored brother, nephew and a close friend to many people. He was a much loved and valued member of a large, close and loving family.
“Perhaps like many young men, he did enjoy life in the fast lane, but it is clear that he will be terribly missed by his family and friends following what was a sunny, joyous day turned into tragedy in moments,” said Ms Gomersal.
A qualified scaffolder, Lee had worked with his father, Ken, as a tiler and roofer and could be a hard worker.
Mr Newton said that Lee did like the occasional blow out with alcohol and he was aware that he had experimented with cocaine.
He said his son was an okay swimmer and on March 30 Lee had asked his father if he could borrow a life vest. His father had warned Lee not to go near water.
Based on the evidence that she had heard, Ms Gomersal said her conclusion was one of death by misadventure.
“There is no evidence whatsoever that Lee entered the water anything other than voluntarily, despite the influence of alcohol he was under,” she said.
