Tragic student Thomas Jones 'went to river after hearing cry for help'

Thomas Jones's body was found floating in the river on September 28 last year after going missing nine days earlier.

Coroner Geraint Williams appeared to become upset as he looked at a photograph of the 18-year-old West Bromwich Albion season ticket holder before recording an open conclusion on Tuesday.

CCTV cameras in the area where Mr Jones, who was known as 'Jonah', was last seen picked up a cry for help moments before he apparently slipped and fell down an embankment in Worcester at around 3.50am.

Officials from West Bromwich Albion had helped the search by tweeting out an appeal from West Mercia Police.

Dwight Gayle paid a tribute to Thomas during a match against Reading. Gayle scored an equaliser during the Championship game at the Hawthorns and as he celebrated the goal, he held up a green and yellow Baggies shirt with the name 'Jonah' on the back.

Police officer Chris Buffery, who gave evidence at the inquest, said he could not be certain but it was likely the University of Worcester student had either gone to help another person or had gone to the river to urinate.

But the coroner said he was "exactly the sort of person who would have seen if he could have helped".

The 30-minute hearing at Worcestershire Coroner's Court , in Stourport, heard Mr Jones, from Bromsgrove, had an alcohol level in his system which would have meant he was a little over twice the drink-drive limit.

A toxicology report also found a small trace of a chemical in his body which resembled that of cocaine, although a toxicologist said he was more than likely to have passively inhaled the drug.

The inquest heard there was no suggestion of any third party involvement in Mr Jones's death.

Recording his verdict, the coroner told family members: "I have been doing this job for 30 years and it still gets to me.

"We do not have any sufficient evidence to say that this was an accident or indeed anything else.

"From what I said I think it is likely your boy heard someone calling for help and went to see if he could help.

"In your son's case, with great regret, I reach an open conclusion."

Addressing the alcohol and cocaine levels in Mr Jones's body, Mr Williams said: "He somehow slipped and fell, and the amount of alcohol would have debilitated him to an extent.

"It is clear that the cocaine would not have played any part whatsoever.

"It seems likely to me that he was not someone who smoked cocaine."

Addressing Mr Jones's family at the end of the inquest, Mr Williams said: "I am older than you are, please do not think this inpertinent - this will never go away for you.

"But it gets easier to live with and that is all we can hope for. Please accept my condolences."

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Jones's father Ian said on behalf of himself and the student's mother Vicki: "We accept the findings and subsequent conclusion following today's hearing.

"The past few months have been unbearably difficult to come to terms with life without Tom and we very much appreciate the overwhelming support and respect from all involved, including the media, during this time and trust this will remain whilst we continue to rebuild our lives and work around the devastating loss of Tom."

West Mercia Police Detective Inspector Tony Garner, who led the missing person investigation, said: "Tom's death has affected the community and all of the officers involved in the case deeply.

"It was understandably an emotional day for Tom's family and our sympathies remain with his family and friends."