An inquest has been opened into the death of a Carlisle pensioner who drowned in the River Eden after being reported missing by a friend.
Police had issued a public appeal for information in a bid to trace 75-year-old Harry Smith.
Mr Smith had last been seen on Sunday, October 13, last year. Officers were said to have been concerned for his welfare.
Cockermouth Coroners’ Court heard this morning that Mr Smith had been found dead in the River Eden, near Carlisle’s Sheepmount athletics stadium, on October 22.
Dr Nicholas Shaw, an assistant coroner for Cumbria, formally opened an inquest into Mr Smith’s death.
“The brief circumstances are that he had been reported missing by a friend and he was known to have some mental health issues,” said Dr Shaw during a brief hearing.
“A member of the public walking their dog by the river saw something hanging on a tree and alerted the emergency services who attended. Mr Smith was found to be deceased.”
Evidence of identification had been provided by a police constable, and was accepted by the coroner. A post mortem examination had been carried out with drowning given as a medical cause of death.
“Under those circumstances, an inquest is required,” concluded Dr Shaw, who adjourned today’s proceedings for further enquiries to be carried out.
A full hearing will take place at the coroners’ court on a date which has yet to be fixed.
