Inquest into River Severn death of fishery worker Wojciech Chwiecko

FISHERY worker Wojciech Chwiecko drowned in the River Severn after being sent home from work for being drunk.

But an inquest heard there was no evidence to prove that Mr Chwiecko, 33, committed suicide.

Assistant deputy Gloucestershire coroner Tom Osborne recorded an open verdict on Mr Chwiecko, of Beeches Road, Newnham-on-Severn.

He had been upset shortly before his death about a text message he had received, but no-one knew what it said, the inquest heard.

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Mr Chwiecko, a production worker at the Severn and Wye Smokery at Westbury-on-Severn, had a known drink problem and had been to his doctor for help in April 2011 but did not attend an appointment for follow-up treatment.

The inquest was told that on August 22 last year his workmate Mariusz Kaminski, who lived at the same address, drove him to work as normal at 8am.

Later in the morning, he said, Mr Wojciech appeared drunk and was slurring his words and smelling of alcohol. He was sent home from work and Mr Kaminski drove him back to their address.

Mr Kaminski said when he got home at 6pm, Mr Wojciech was not there and he did not return over the next two days.

Detective Sergeant David Shore-Nye said Mr Wojiech's body was found in the river at Newnham on August 28.

A post mortem examination found he died from drowning.

Det Sgt Shore-Nye said no suicide note or any other explanation for Mr Chwiecko's death was found.

It was "impossible to be sure beyond reasonable doubt" that Mr Chwiecko had taken his own life and intended to do so, said the coroner.