Firefighter who went missing in Sussex accidently drowned, inquest hears

A firefighter whose body was found in Sussex died accidently due to drowning, an inquest has heard.
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Anthony Knott’s body was tragically recovered from the river Ouse by Denton Island in Newhaven on the morning of January 10, 2020.

The 33-year-old, who was from Orpington in Kent, had been missing for three weeks after vanishing while out on a Christmas work night out with his London Fire Brigade colleagues in Lewes on Friday, December 20, 2019.

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An inquest held at Eastbourne Town Hall today (Thursday, January 28), heard how the young father had drunk alcohol and used cocaine on the night he went missing.

Anthony KnottAnthony Knott
Anthony Knott

Due to his body being in water for a significant amount of time, a meaningful toxicology report was not possible – but further toxicology tests, requested by Mr Knott’s family, found Mr Knott had used cocaine, likely in a few to several hours before he died.

Cocaethylene (benzoylecgonine) was also discovered, which indicated the consumption of alcohol prior to his death, the inquest was told.

The concentration of cocaine and benzoylecgonine was low, indicating recreational use, but due to his body being in water for three weeks, this concentration may have been different at the time of his death, the inquest heard.

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A very low quantity of Sertraline, an antidepressant, was also found in Mr Knott’s system.

Mr Knott’s primary cause of death was confirmed as drowning in salt water.

East Sussex coroner James Healy-Pratt recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

He told the inquest: “Anthony was on a Christmas night out with colleagues and started drinking at lunchtime locally before making their way down from South London to Lewes where they continued their festivities.

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“Mr Knott left The Lamb pub at 7.30pm after consuming about eight or nine drinks. Toxicology reports also found he had taken some cocaine as well.

“He left the pub and was last seen on CCTV at 7.44pm near Subway sandwich shop by East Street.

“Sufficient evidence to me is that Mr Knott was probably quite intoxicated.

“We don’t know the reason he went towards the river but somehow he got into difficulties by walking close to the river which was flooded at that time in December 2019, and he wasn’t able to extricate himself. He drowned in the river and was swept down the stream.

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“This court doesn’t have any evidence to suggest why he fell in the river or went towards the river during the course of the night out.

“This was a night out that went tragically wrong.

“We don’t fully know the reasons why Mr Knott fell into the river. All we can do on behalf of the coroner’s court and myself, is extend our condolences to Mr Knott’s family and children.”

Detective Inspector Mark Rosser provided the inquest with a report detailing the events leading up to when Mr Knott was last seen.

“We gathered CCTV and there were a couple of sightings, the first him leaving The Lamb pub in Lewes alone at 7.30pm and then walking towards East Street and the River Ouse at 7.44pm. The CCTV was not great and it was dark but we were fairly confident this was him.”

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A large-scale search operation was launched to find Mr Knott. Police were assisted by East Sussex Fire & Rescue Service, London Fire Brigade and the RNLI.

DI Rosser said officers came to the conclusion that Mr Knott left The Lamb pub and had got into an accident, either medically or due to being intoxicated.

He told the inquest: “Due to there being no movement on his financial banking and his mobile phone had gone off, we were quite confident that there was no other information to suggest any third party involvement or any history of depression.”

Statements from Mr Knott’s fire colleagues were read out in the inquest.

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Martin Wilson-Hockley, who was Mr Knott’s line manager, said everyone was in ‘good spirits’ during the Christmas night out and were laughing and joking. He had a close relationship with Mr Knott, like father and son, his statement said.

Mr Knott, who he referred to as ‘Knotty’, was upset during a meeting with him once. He was withdrawn and a bit quieter, he said, and had discussed his mother-in-law being admitted to hospital and his father-in-law had passed away recently.

Mr Wilson-Hockley said he left The Lamb pub with his wife, who he had met earlier during the night out, and he did not recall seeing Mr Knott but assumed he had gone to the toilet. He did not think anything of it, he said.

The following day (Saturday, December 21), Mr Wilson-Hockley said he received a text saying Mr Knott had not returned home.

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“I was really worried, it was out of character and unexpected of Knotty,” he said in his statement.

He said he went to Lewes to help with the search. He added that he was aware Mr Knott was leading a healthier lifestyle, he had cut back on energy drinks and was going to the gym.

Another colleague, James Prentice, described Mr Knott as a ‘cheeky chap’ and ‘good natured’.

He said Mr Knott, who he referred to as ‘Tone’, was his normal, happy self on the Christmas night out.

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He said when he heard he had not returned home after the night out, he was not concerned and presumed he was at a mates house.

At the end of the inquest, East Sussex coroner James Healy-Pratt acknowledged the ‘extensive efforts’ of the emergency services when trying to locate Mr Knott.

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