K&A Canal boater's death was accidental says Coroner

The body of Stuart Williams, 51, was found at the Caen Hill moorings on the Devizes Flight of the Kennet & Avon Canal last December by a neighbouring boater who was alerted by Mr Williams dog pining on the moorings.

The British Waterways moorings at the top of Caen Hill on the K&A Canal: Picture by Bob Naylor

An inquest at Trowbridge yesterday heard that a post-mortom revealed Mr Williams blood/alcohom level to be three times the legal alcohol limit for driving.

The Wiltshire Assistant Coroner, Ian Singleton, said that this and the icy conditions on the pontoon contributed to his falling into the canal and drowning and he returned a verdict of accidental death.

Drowned K&A boater named

The man who's body was found in the Kennet & Avon Canal at Caen Hill on the Devizes Flight on Monday afternoon was named today as Stuart Williams, 51.

The British Waterways moorings at the top of Caen Hill on the K&A Canal: Picture by Bob Naylor

Mr Williams had kept his narrowboat, Daylight Monarch, on the BW moorings at Caen Hill for the last 18 months.  It is believed he slipped into the ice covered canal while walking his dog and it was the confused dog pining on the moorings that alerted another boater who looked and spotted Mr Williams in the water.

Police say there are no suspicious circumstances and the Coroner has been informed.