Smethwick canal death remains mystery, inquest told
Mystery surrounds the death of a man whose body was found in a Black Country canal. A passer-by discovered the body of Balbeer Singh Srah, 56, in the Birmingham Canal, near Spon Lane bridge, Smethwick, on May 22 last year.
But yesterday an inquest heard that despite an extensive police investigation and a post-mortem, there was insufficient evidence as to how he died. Coroner Robin Balmain was told by pathologist Dr Alexander Kolar that there was not enough canal water in his lungs for him to have drowned, and no injuries suggesting foul play.
Mr Srah, who was a heavy drinker and was found with 347 milligrams of alcohol in his blood, went to the canal every day to drink strong lager and cider with his friends, and during the inquest his son Ravinder Srah said he had fallen in twice before.
He told the inquest: "We knew he had fallen in, we tried to stop him from going there, but there was nothing we could do."
On the morning of May 21, the day before his body was found, he had been drinking with a friend at the canal for several hours. Later that day the police were called to his home, on Narel Sharpe Close, Smethwick, to reports of a disturbance. He was taken outside before being released by police, and he went to his brother's home next door before leaving a short time later.
His body was found in the canal the next day.
Although pathologist Dr Kolar said there was no evidence he drowned, he did offer two possible explanations as to his death.
First was that he could have 'dry drowned', where a person is killed by the shock of falling into cold water, although that is rare.
Secondly, and more commonly, Dr Kolar said it could be a case of 'sudden unexpected death in alcohol misuse', which is thought to relate to an irregular heartbeat.
But in giving his conclusions, Mr Balmain said a medical cause of death 'is unascertained'. He added: "It is speculation as to how Mr Srah came to be in the canal.
"This case does highlight a tragic situation where there seems to be quite a number of men who get addicted to drink and can't stop themselves.
"It seems to be likely drink is related to Mr Srah's death, but I'm not going to record that in this instance."
Mr Balmain recorded an open verdict.
