Man died rescuing partner's child

Andrew Smith jumped into to help 13-year-old Aimee

A mother has told an inquest how her partner drowned as he rescued her 13-year-old daughter when she fell into a Lancashire reservoir.

Andrew Smith, 34, of Atherton, Greater Manchester, got into difficulties after pulling Aimee Shovelton close to the edge of Anglezarke Reservoir in May.

Tricia Nowell told the hearing that Mr Smith disappeared below the surface.

Lancashire assistant deputy coroner Howard McCann recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Miss Nowell said Mr Smith managed to rescue Aimee and bring her close to the shore, before the family Alsatian Scooby swam out to them and carried Aimee to safety.

I suspect a bit of adrenalin was pumping Andrew to get Amy to a certain point, but once Amy had gone he could not go further Howard McCann, Coroner

She said she left her daughters, Jodie, seven, and Aimee by the lake and dived in to help him but could not reach him due to the current "pulling her into the depths".

Mr McCann said: "It seems to me that what started as simply a spring evening turned to tragedy.

"Regrettably it follows similar incidents we have experienced of people swimming in reservoirs and being overcome.

"I suspect a bit of adrenalin was pumping Andrew to get Aimee to a certain point, but once Aimee had gone he could not go further.

"The dangers of this and similar reservoirs cannot be understated."

Speaking outside court, Mr Smith's brother, Graham Smith, from Atherton, said his brother had died a "hero".

He said: "That's just the kind of person he was, always putting everybody else before himself.

"He was really scared of deep water, it was one of his biggest terrors.

"But despite his fear of deep water, he didn't hesitate in jumping in to rescue Amy.

"He died a hero."