Mother warns after son's drowning

Gary Ling, 18, of Norwich, disappeared after a night out with friends

The death of a teenager who was found drowned in a river in Norwich was accidental, an inquest has found.

Gary Ling, 18, of St Leonards Road, Norwich, disappeared after a night out with friends in Norwich in 14 January this year.

He was found drowned in the River Yare at Trowse the following month, the inquest held in Norwich was told.

After the inquest, Mr Ling's mother Hazel warned people who go into the city to drink to take care.

She said: "If you value your life be in a pair and have a mobile phone so if anything happens you can get help."

The inquest heard tests showed he would have been over the drink-drive limit for alcohol in his blood.

Det Sgt Gary Bloomfield, of Norfolk Police, said: "This was a tragic set of circumstances.

"Young people come into the city centre with their friends and, if they become intoxicated, their friends should not leave them on their own, particularly late at night.

"The waterways of Norwich are generally unfenced and anyone wandering around can easily lose their way with tragic consequences."