A JUNIOR cricket coach who was found dead in a river had drowned, an inquest heard.

Andrew Duckworth, 50, was found partially submersed in the River Ogden near Snig Hole Park last August.

The inquest in Burnley heard Mr Duckworth, of South Street, Haslingden, was out walking his dog before he was found by police.

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Julie Fraser, Mr Duckworth’s sister, said he had suffered from epilepsy from the age of 18, ‘but coped with it well’.

The inquest heard the paving-like stones by the side of the river where Mr Duckworth was found were very slippy.

Dr Muammer Al-Mudhaffer, a consultant from Royal Blackburn Hospital who carried out a post-mortem examination, said there was no sign of an epileptic episode before his death.

He said: “There was no evidence of external injury.

“We cannot say epilepsy was the cause of death, it is one of the difficult areas in pathology.

“His epilepsy was well controlled, he was taking his medicine, reports show he was taking it.

“He had inhaled a large amount of water.

“His lungs were heavier than normal. I would not expect them to weigh more than 1,000g, yet they were 1,300g.”

Mrs Fraser asked the consultant if the rivers current could have led to Mr Duckworth’s death, as she said the weather was poor that day and the river was fast flowing.

Dr Al-Mudhaffer said this was a possibility but there was no witnesses at the time who saw what happened.

Coroner Richard Taylor said: “I conclude Mr Duckworth’s death was accidental.

“The medical cause of death was drowning.”

My Duckworth coached the U15s team at Rawtenstall Cricket Club.

“I pass on my sincere condolences to Mr Duckworth’s family at what has been a difficult time for them.”