A MAN drowned when his car plunged into a river - but police failed to respond to a call about the vehicle for two hours, an inquest has heard.

Today the family of devoted father Anthony Holt said that they were angry over the police's delayed response to the incident, caused by the hunt for a five-year-old girl who went missing in Blackburn at the same time.

Mr Holt, 37, of Silverdale Close, Blackburn, died in the river at Pleasington and is believed to have been on his way to visit the grave of his son Aaron who had been born with a heart defect.

The inquest was told that a bizarre "chase" ensued when police finally went to the scene, with the police helicopter and officers on the ground searching frantically as Mr Holt's body was washed nearly two miles downstream.

After the inquest John Holt, 43, Anthony's brother, said: "I am really angry with the response of the police.

"It took them so long to come out - two hours and fifteen minutes after the first call. That's ridiculous.

"They said there was an emergency and there was a child missing, but there are surely more police than that in Blackburn."

At the inquest Anthony Holt's partner and mother of his seven children, Anna Marie Kellett, said their child's death had hit Mr Holt hard and whenever he was down he would visit the grave.

The day before the car was discovered Mr Holt had a win on the horses and had gone out drinking in Blackburn town centre on January 16 with his brother John.

Towards the end of the evening he got upset and his brother sent him home in a taxi.

He went to his mother's home and Ada Holt told how he was very upset, the hearing was told.

"I couldn't calm him down," said Mrs Holt. "I have never seen him that upset."

Mr Holt left his mother's home at about 12.30am.

The following morning a man walking his dog at Pleasington playing fields crossed the bridge at 6.30am and saw a car. His call to the police was logged at 7.15am.

Another man walking his dogs spotted the car shortly after 9am by which time it was raining heavily and the river was rising. He rang the police and asked if the car had already been reported.

Police sergeant Mark Sharples said he was made aware of a report of a car in the river, but all resources were directed towards searching for the five-year-old.

He said when the second call came in he responded himself. Two hours later a passer-by told an officer he had just seen a body float out of the car. It was eventually recovered from a weir at the end of Viaduct Road.

Home Office pathologist Dr Naomi Carter said Mr Holt had injuries to his face and forehead and had a fractured neck.

She said there were no seat belt marks and her view was that Mr Holt could have been thrown from the driver's seat.

"I think he could well have been knocked unconscious and he might not have been able to help himself," said Dr Carter.

She said the blood alcohol level was nearly three times the legal drink drive limit and it was likely the time of death was nearer to midnight than 6.30am.

Coroner Michael Singleton said there were many unanswered questions.

"What isn't explained is why he was driving in first gear," said Mr Singleton.

"That would suggest he had been stationary and then driven off.

"It also appears the passenger door was open."