A man who was found dead in the River Itchen by kayakers was nearly three times the legal drink-drive limit, an inquest heard.

A councillor has paid tribute to Derek Burrows, 66, who was found face down in the water near Woodmill Lane on September 30 of last year.

The emergency services rushed to the scene near Riverside Park after the alarm was raised by a group of kayakers, with a large presence in the car park in Woodmill Lane.

Emergency services at Riverside Park after Mr Burrows' body was found (Image: UGC) Area coroner Jason Pegg continued the inquest into Mr Burrows’ death at Winchester Coroners’ Court on Tuesday.

He confirmed the cause of death was immersion in water and his lungs were congested.

It is not known when or where Mr Burrows entered the water.

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Mr Pegg added: “The post-mortem found he had alcohol totalling 2.8 times the drink drive limit in his system.

“The effect of this level of alcohol is that it would have potentially caused him to be confused, unable to stand up, have slurred speech and be at risk of going into a comatose state.”

The scene at Riverside Park after Mr Burrows' body was found (Image: UGC) Prior to his death in September, Mr Burrows applied for Personal Independent Payment (PIP).

In his application, he said his mental health had deteriorated following the death of his partner, he had developed agoraphobia and had not left his flat in Monks Way for six months.

It is not known why he left the property on the morning of September 30, Mr Pegg said.

He said: “A witness said he was coaching a group of kayakers on the river when one of them spotted Burrows’ body.

“Two of them stayed with him until the emergency services arrived.”

‘Sadly missed’

Mr Burrows found it hard to hold down work but often helped with political campaigns in the city.

Labour city councillor Lee Whitbread became friends with him after the pair went on campaign trails together.

Paying tribute, he said: “Derek was a kind-hearted person who was always there to help whenever someone needed it.

“His passing has left a huge void in the life of many of his friends who valued his companionship.

“He will be sadly missed by all those that had the pleasure of knowing him.”

Family speaks

Mr Burrows' alcohol addiction blighted the relationship he had with his family, Mr Pegg said.

His adopted sister Mrs Bates, who was present in court, said: “Derek sent me a card for my birthday in July 2023 and I text him to say thank you.

“That was the last time I spoke to him.

“His long-term partner passed away from cancer and that really affected him, but he had alcohol issues all his life.”

Mr Pegg gave an open conclusion into the death of Derek Burrows.

He said: “How he came to be in the water is not ascertained; it could have been an accident or an intentional choice, based on what he said previously about suffering with depression.”