What's happened
Sapper Charlie Saywell, 25, was found dead in the River Medway on March 5 after a night out with friends. An inquest ruled his death an accident, detailing how he fell into the river after sustaining injuries during a drunken incident. The coroner noted he may have attempted to use a rope to escape.
Why it matters
What the papers say
According to Jasper King from Metro, the inquest revealed that Saywell had been drinking heavily and was described as 'very drunk' by his girlfriend during video calls. The coroner, James Dillon, stated, 'He had fallen into the river apparently suffering injuries as he did so.' Helen William from The Independent echoed these findings, emphasizing the tragic nature of the accident and the potential use of the rope as a safety aid. Both sources agree on the accidental nature of the death, with Detective Sergeant Karen Caulfield describing it as 'just a tragic accident.'
How we got here
Charlie Saywell's death occurred after a night of drinking with friends. Following a taxi ride back to Brompton Barracks, he wandered into Chatham, where he encountered a stranger's car, leading to an altercation that left him injured. His body was discovered later in the river.
More on these topics