PASSERS-by struggled to help a boy who drowned in a canal lock because no life-rings had been installed nearby.

Robert Fidoe, who could not swim, died aged 12 after falling off his bike into the lock.

His last minutes were described by friend Edward Taylor in a statement read out at Worcestershire Coroner's Court.

He said the pair were cycling near the canal when Robert, of Lower Heath caravan park, Watery Lane, Stourport, insisted on crossing the lock via the narrow bridge.

Edward said: “I thought I’d jump in and help, but I can’t swim, a bit but not that good.

“He was trying to swim and I was shouting to him, ‘swim Robert, swim’.

“Robert said, ‘I can’t swim’. He was shouting for help.”

Robert, a Stourport High School pupil, was half way across the 20-inch wide bridge when he fell in at about 11.50am on Friday, June 3.

Rescuers pulled him from the bottom of the lock about half-an-hour later.

Passerby Frederick McQueen, who was visiting Stourport basin, initially thought the boys were messing about.

He said: “He seemed to be treading water but after a few seconds his hands went straight above his head and he went under the water.

"He didn’t resurface again.”

Mr McQueen dialled 999. He said: “I thought about jumping in to help, but didn’t think I could get out myself.

“I looked around for a pole or a hook to help but there was nothing.”

Anthony Stammers, head of health and safety at British Waterways, told the court that a 2005 risk assessment did not identify any safety problems with the 200-year-old bridge.

He said life rings had been installed since Robert’s death, but he thought they should have been there before.

He said: “There was a life ring at Upper Basin.

"I was surprised at the logic that identified a life ring was needed there, but a similar logic wasn’t applied to the Lower Basin.”

He also said he would have expected to see a handrail – and one would now be put in place.

However, he said there were signs banning cycling, and the edge of the lock and the side of the bridge’s parapet were clearly marked.

Robert’s parents, who were in court, questioned why there were no danger signs.

In summing up, Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams wondered if one of Robert’s bike pedals had struck the side of the bridge throwing him off.

He welcomed the installation of life rings and the handrail, but dismissed the need for specific warning signs because some things were “inherently dangerous”.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded.

After the inquest Nick Worthington, waterways manager South Wales and Severn, said British Waterways would continue to ensure public safety and improve systems.