Rowing coach Michael Hill drowned in Thames ‘after boarding leaky boat’

Experienced: Michael Hill, 48, fell into the Thames but could not be found in the dark

11 February 2016

A rowing coach who drowned in the Thames got into a boat that was “taking on water”, an inquest heard.

Michael Hill, 48, was due to coach a team from Thames Rowing Club, in Putney, when he fell in last winter.

His motorised boat was found circling on the river but his body was not recovered until five weeks later.

Mr Hill found a fault on the launch he had chosen on the evening of February 2, fellow coach Dustyn Butler told Westminster coroner’s court.

“He told me it was taking on water. I ran to get a new bumper but when I came back he said he had sorted it out and put the bumper on.” Mr Butler then went off to train his group, presuming Mr Hill would catch up.

Jogger Richard Craig-Mcfeely told the hearing: “I could hear Mr Hill shouting ‘I’m drowning’. He must have shouted it at least five times.”

He and two student rowers tried to go to Mr Hill’s aid but could not find him in the dark. His body was discovered on March 8 without a life jacket on but Mr Butler insisted he had been wearing one. The father of three, from Leeds, was an experienced coach who moved to London in 2012 to work at Laytmer Upper School in Fulham.

The boat was examined by Steve Rushbrook, a deputy harbour-master, who found that despite an anomaly with the gear position, it was seaworthy and the bumper had been fixed.

The court heard the kill cord, which is attached to the driver and cuts the engine if they fall overboard, had not been attached to Mr Hill. Mr Rushbrook said it was in good condition.

Coroner Shirley Radcliffe ruled Mr Hill died of immersion in the water with heart disease a secondary factor. She said: “I believe it was an accident.”

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Rowing coach Michael Hill drowned in Thames ‘after boarding leaky boat’

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