Man, 39, found dead in tragedy

A man has died after falling into a canal in South Staffordshire just days before his 40th birthday.

Police were called to the canal in Swindon, between Wolverhampton and Dudley, after a passer-by reported seeing a body in the water.He was named today by relatives as Michael Wright, of Wombourne.

It is believed Mr Wright had been walking home from an evening out at The Green Man pub in Swindon when the tragedy happened.

Paramedics were also called to the scene at 10.30am yesterday but were unable to save him.

Relatives said they believed the 39-year-old did not want to get a taxi and instead was walking along the towpath from Swindon to his home a short distance away.

He was due to celebrate his 40th birthday with family and friends on Friday, according to a relative who asked not to be named.

West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman Suzi Fothergill said: "A rapid response and incident support officer was sent. One man was found deceased at the scene."

Staffordshire Police today confirmed a post mortem was being held but it appeared there were no suspicious circumstances.