A pubgoer drowned in a shallow Nottinghamshire river after a night out. The inquest into the death of Lee Wightman, of Bulwell, concluded at Nottingham Coroner's Court on Thursday, August 4, where Coroner Fiona Gingell concluded that his death was caused by drowning in the River Leen. She said there was no evidence of third party involvement or suspicious circumstances.
On September 24, 2021, the 45 year old had been seen at the Moon and Stars public house in Bulwell before he "stumbled" his way to the Royal Oak pub at around 8pm. He has been described as "extremely drunk", and shortly after entering the pub he was refused service and he went into the beer garden where he fell over and hit his head.
Other people in the pub went to help Lee and an ambulance was called, but he became agitated and did not want their help. He left the pub before they arrived by continuing out of the beer garden, and on his way punched the car belonging to the pub's land lady.
Read more: Tributes to 'beautiful' mum who died after being hit by car in street
DC Lyndsey Shaw, of Nottinghamshire Police, explained that the lady "said she followed him to try and stop him" which he was aware of as he began walking quicker, but then she lost sight of him and thought "he had crossed the river and walked away."
The River Leen behind the pub is only six or seven inches deep and can be walked across, however, there is a steep slope leading down to the river which is covered in overgrowth. Others in the pub went to see if they could find him which was seen by police in CCTV footage, but thought Lee must have just walked away as he did not want their help.
DC Shaw said: "I don't think anyone has been involved in pushing him in or any maliciousness. Maybe if another 999 call had been made at that point, maybe that could have saved him, if we turned up and found him."
However, others at the pub did try their best at the time to locate him, and had been drinking themselves, and so decided he just went home as he did not want their help. It has been concluded that Mr Wightman fell into the river, and due to the intoxicated condition he was in, and possibly still suffering from his previous fall at the pub, he was unable to save himself.
A 999 call was made at 1:23pm on September 25, 2021 after his body was spotted face down in the "shallow" river in a prayer like position, and then emergency services arrived shortly after at 1:34pm. Lee Wightman was declared dead at 1:49pm, and his official date of death is September 25, 2021 as it is not clear exactly when he drowned as rigor mortis has set in.
There was a forensic post mortem examination carried out which found cuts on his face and abrasions on his arm from a fall. A toxicology found through a blood and urine sample that his alcohol level was high at 328mg over 100.
Although Mr Wightman was not driving, the legal limit for driving is 80mg, so he was over four times the legal limit for driving. Additionally it was found that he had taken cannabis at some point leading up to his death. Coroner Gingell said: "This is clearly a tragic incident and I extend my condolences to Mr Wightman's son.
"This is a tragic accident that has led sadly to Mr Wightman losing his life."
Read next:
