Towpath death ruled a 'tragic accident'

3 hours ago

James GrantNorthampton Coroner's Court

News image — Robert Brown was found fatally injured on a bench on the towpath behind Auctioneers Court in Northampton

Northamptonshire Police Robert Brown, a man who is sitting down and is wearing black glasses and a black T-shirt. He is looking directly at the camera. — Robert Brown was found fatally injured on a bench on the towpath behind Auctioneers Court in Northampton

A man who struggled with alcohol dependency died after suffering a wound to his arm in what an inquest has ruled was an accidental death.

Robert Brown was found beside the River Nene behind Auctioneers' Court in Northampton on 1 August 2025.

Northampton Coroner's Court was told Brown had a history of alcohol dependency stretching back more than two decades.

Northamptonshire Police suggested the 57-year-old may have "rolled onto a knife carried in his backpack" while intoxicated without realising he had been seriously injured.

Fibres on the blade matched layers of his coat and traces containing a high amount of his DNA were identified.

Anne Pember, the senior coroner for Northamptonshire said, in her view, Brown's death was "a tragic accident" with the cause of death acute blood loss.

Northamptonshire Police Robert Brown with dark hair wearing a dark jacket and trousers and pink shirt carrying a black plastic shopping basket and walking past some black crates in a supermarket — This CCTV picture has been released of Robert Brown shopping in Morrisons on the night he died

Medical records showed Brown had discussed alcohol misuse with his GP on at least 40 occasions and had previously received psychiatric treatment for anxiety, depression and alcohol dependence.

The inquest was told the 57-year-old had visited hospital a number of times in the months before his death, many linked to intoxication, falls or collapses.

He had previously suffered a stroke, had a pacemaker fitted and was not always compliant with medication.

A statement from the pathologist, Dr Mike Biggs, said the wound was a "clean slash extending about 3cm into the [upper left] tricep," but did not hit any arteries.

Toxicology tests showed Brown had 307mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood, more than three times the legal drink-drive limit in England and Wales.

Dr Biggs said the level of intoxication could have caused symptoms including "impaired awareness and loss of consciousness," meaning Brown may not have realised he had been injured.

Family handout Robert Brown with short brown hair and dark glasses looking at the camera while wearing a blue jacket, purple tie and light blue shirt. He is standing next to another person who has their arm in his shoulder. — Robert Brown used to work in his family's fruit and vegetable shops in Northampton

Originally the death was treated as a murder inquiry by Northamptonshire Police and three men were arrested during the investigation.

They were later released with no further action be taken against them.

Det Ch Ins Torrie Harrison added: "This was a tragic accidental death. [Brown] either dropped his weight onto the bag or rolled onto it... which penetrated the victim."

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