Safety warning over river death

David Webb drowned in the river after drinking heavily

A coroner has called for a review of safety at a floating nightclub after a teenager who had been drinking heavily was thrown out and later drowned.

David Webb, 19, drowned in the River Tyne after being asked to leave a cheap drinks promotion at the Tuxedo Princess floating nightclub in Gateshead.

An inquest at Gateshead County Court recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Coroner Terence Carney said he would be writing to the authorities to make sure safety measures were tightened.

Mr Webb, of Newbiggin Hall, Newcastle, had taken ecstasy and drunk vodka and alcopops - about 18 units of alcohol - on 20 January, the night he died.

He had come to the club because it was £10 to get in and customers could drink as much as they wanted.

Safely away

It is believed he may have been trying to climb back on board the boat via a rear gangplank when he fell, the hearing heard.

Mr Carney said: "When places allow people to drink so much that they get drunk then they have a duty to see those customers safely away, especially if the premises are somewhere dangerous."

The Tuxedo Princess stopped doing drinks promotions in April following the tragedy.

David's mother Lesley Webb said: "What do they expect to happen when they say: 'drink as much as you like' but when you have had enough: 'get lost.'

"And if you fall in the Tyne and drown - who cares?"