Schoolboy with 'strong attraction' to water runs away from grandparents' house and tragically drowns

Luke How, 14, was found drowned in the River Bollin in Trafford, Greater Manchester, in January this year as an inquest into his death heard how he had an attraction to water

A teenage boy with a “strong attraction” to water ran away from his grandparents’ home and drowned, an inquest heard.

Luke Howe was found dead in the River Bollin, in Trafford, Greater Manchester, in January this year. The inquest heard the 14-year-old went to the toilet after dinner, but when he did not return, his grandfather went to check and noticed the front door was open.

Police were called and friends, family, neighbours and even Luke's teachers joined the search for him in freezing temperatures as they looked with torches. A police diver found him in the River Bollin the next day.

Luke’s father, James, told the inquest his son made regular escape attempts and regularly jumped into canals or rivers as he had a “strong attraction” to water, Manchester Evening News reported. He said: “Running off and escaping continued to be a strong impulse for him.

“We think it is likely he made his way directly to the river and as he has done in the past, entered the water impulsively without realising the danger. He loved spending time with his family.

“He managed to make me smile even when we were in hospital. Luke was a real character who was well known in the area. He hated staying in the house.

“He liked going camping and on holidays together. Luke loved spending time with both sets of his grandparents. He was a very cuddly boy. He was really a very loving person.

"His death has been a huge loss to his family and everyone who knew him. He is very sadly missed and is in our hearts everyday."

He added his son's conditions, including ADHD and autism, made him impulsive with a lack of fear and said he often got into dangerous situations without even realising it. Mr Howe said Luke was “really happy” and was “really well supported” at school. He added he loved the outdoors, music and to climb, but was also “extremely good at figuring out doors and locks”.

The inquest heard Luke was reviewed by the Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service every three months and had a carer. He was also prescribed a range of medication.

Mr Howe detailed the huge lengths the family went to to keep Luke safe as they fitted chiming sensors to all the doors and used internal locks, key safes and window locks. Detective Inspector Richard Lees, from Trafford CID, said he could not rule out whether Luke had slipped or jumped in from a bridge. The tragic death, he added, wasn't treated as suspicious.

There were steep embankments on either side of the stretch of the river where Luke was found and the temperature was 'extremely cold' with ice on the ground, he added. After giving his evidence, Det Insp Lees said police officers try to put emotion aside, but Luke's death had touched a lot of people.

A pathologist who carried out a post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as drowning. The inquest at Stockport Coroner's Court continues.