'I cannot understand why son had to die'.

Byline: BY DAVE HIGGENS Daily Post Correspondent

THE father of a 28-year-old man killed when he became stuck in a storm drain during the summer floods told an inquest yesterday that he did not understand why his son had to die.

Michael Barnett died from hypothermia after he went into a flooded drain behind the tropical fish business where he worked in Hull to try to clear debris.

In a statement read to the inquest into Mr Barnett's death, his father, also called Michael, said: "Michael was everything to me and I loved him very much.

"Nobody expects to bury their son."

Mr Barnett senior went on: "I cannot understand why he had to die. He was a lovely, kind, lively lad and a generous human being.

"My life will never be the same and I miss him enormously."

In his statement, Mr Barnett told the inquest in Hull how his son had left for work at Kingston Koi, in Hessle, on June 25 but had not needed to go in that day.

He said that 10 days earlier his son had come home drenched after going into the drain to clear debris during a different flooding incident.

The jury has been told how a grate was removed by a digger during the flooding on June 15 to help the flow of water. This was replaced by a temporary grille and it was in this that Michael became stuck on June 25.

Mr Barnett senior said: "I remember thinking he shouldn't be there. I told him to stay away from the drains."

He went on to describe how he found out about his son's death by watching television. He said he went to the scene after he was telephoned by his son's boss to say he was stuck in the drain.

But he said police officers kept him back and advised that he either stayed in a police car or went home.

Mr Barnett said he went home and turned on the television to see coverage of the drama.

He said he was watching the TV when it stated "that the male trapped in the drain had died".

He then waited for a number of hours for a police officer to come and confirm what had happened.

He said at one point an officer came to his door and just said: "Sorry" before leaving.

Mr Barnett said: "I didn't know what he was sorry for.

"Was it an apology for the excessive water on the road or the death of my son?"

Hull Coroner Geoffrey Saul swore in the jury yesterday and briefly outlined the case, describing how firefighters and members of the public fought for a considerable amount of time to free Mr Barnett from the drain.

But he said the young man died from hypothermia.

The inquest was adjourned until today.

CAPTION(S):

Michael Barnett - died when he became stuck in a storm drain