A DUNKIRK war veteran found floating face down in the River Severn had fallen in before, an inquest heard.
George Watts, 89, was seen floating in the river 300 yards upstream of Bewdley Rowing Club.
He had taken his dog out for a walk on Friday, July 21, and had been taken out of the river by the time his wife Theresa raised the alarm after the dog walked home alone.
The inquest at Stourbridge County Court heard Mr Watts, of Northwood Lane, Bewdley, had fallen into the river eight months earlier.
"He seems to have been confused and fell into the river but didn't explain how to his wife," said Worcestershire coroner Victor Round. He had been walking the dog on a lead and it had chased geese, apparently causing Mr Watts to end up in the water.
Pathologist Dr Lesley Smallman said the cause of death was drowning due to a head injury. Heart disease was a contributory factor.
An open verdict was recorded.
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