A retired factory worker whose drowned body was pulled from a drainage ditch had fallen in it once before, a court has heard.
Kevin Donger, known as Michael, died last year at Bawsey Drain in King's Lynn, a ditch used to help prevent flooding in the town.
At an inquest into his death, Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard the 72-year-old had been celebrating a friend’s birthday on October 2.
After making plans to celebrate his own birthday in November, the pair parted ways and Mr Donger went to his local, The Maid’s Head in Market Place.
He then got a portion of chips from a kebab shop before making his way home in heavy rain.
However, he never made it.
Mr Donger’s body was discovered by a member of the public the next morning on October 3, face down in shallow water near Turbus Road.
He was still dressed in his beloved navy suit.
Emergency services were called at 10.36am and recovered his body from the water, but he was pronounced dead at the scene.
The court, based at County Hall, Norwich, heard how Mr Donger had lived his entire life in the west Norfolk town.
A friend said he had fallen into the ditch on a previous occasion “a while ago”.
Mr Donger lived in Edmundsbury Road, just a stone’s throw from his niece, Tricia Simper, who paid tribute to him.
In a statement provided to the court, she said: “Michael was a very outgoing person, friendly, with a heart of gold. Michael would always help anyone out.
“Michael was friends with a lot of people. He was so friendly that everyone knew him. He would happily chat to anyone.
“Michael was always really smartly dressed. He loved his banter, going out, being with people, and lived life to the full.”
He was also a devoted Liverpool football fan and although unable to read or write, he "didn’t let this hold him back" from doing anything he wanted to do.
Area coroner Yvonne Blake confirmed the medical cause of death as "drowning following excess alcohol consumption".
She concluded that his death was "an accident contributed to by alcohol-related death".
- To pay tribute to a loved one, email norfolkobituaries@newsquest.co.uk
- To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost.
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