Steven Dyson drowned after being attacked at New Year's Eve party, inquest hears

Steven, aged 22, was last seen at 9am on New Year’s Day leaving the party in St Andrew’s Close, in Ramsbottom, where he was punched by another man.

It is believed he ran away from the party, but did not make it back to his home in Beechwood Avenue.

He was reported missing by his mother later that day, sparking a police search of Nuttall Park and the surrounding area.

In the days that followed, members of the public formed organised search parties in a bid to assist police, before a body was eventually found in the River Irwell in nearby Summerseat on Saturday, January 6.

The inquest at Rochdale Coroner's Court heard that Steven died as a result of 'drowning', but that there was not enough evidence to determine how he ended up in the water.

Recording an open conclusion, coroner Joanne Kearsley said it was not possible to rule out that Steven may have been suffering from mild concussion as a result of being punched prior to his death, and that it may have influenced his thought process and actions.

In court, Steven was described as a 'fun loving young man', who liked a laugh and a joke.

The court heard that on New Year’s Eve, he had returned home from work at House of Fraser in Manchester, where he worked as a click and collect assistant, at about 6.30pm and appeared ‘happy and jolly’.

He then got a taxi into Ramsbottom town centre with a friend at about 10.30pm, and shouted 'Happy New Year' to his mother on his way out.

The pair began drinking at the Grey Mare in Bolton Street, but shortly afterwards, they were invited to a party in St Andrew’s Close.

They attended and stayed until about 5.30am when Steven left to go and purchase some more alcohol.

CCTV footage showed him at a cash machine in Ramsbottom town centre and at a petrol station in Longsight Road. He then returned to the party where he stayed until about 9am.

As a taxi arrived to pick him up from the party, he got into an altercation with another man where he was punched. He sustained facial injuries and was seen to be bleeding from the nose.

He was seen running away from the house looking 'extremely scared' before falling to the floor. He then stood up and ran up St Andrew’s Close towards Nuttall Lane.

A resident then spotted a man matching Steven's description running across a patch of land at the top of St Andrew’s Close, and climbing through a gap in a wire fence leading on to a steep slope overlooking the River Irwell and Nutall Park.

Detective Inspector John Stainton of GMP's Bury Borough described the route Steven would likely have taken along the river as ‘very precarious’. It is believed he then entered the water before drowning.

Steven's mother Lorraine Roach told the hearing that she thought her son had 'a good alcohol tolerance' and that 'he always made his way home no matter what state he was in'.

She added: "The route he took was very treacherous and slippy. He was very fashion conscious and had new jeans and shoes on, so he would never have taken that route when there were much cleaner ways to get home."

Pathologist Dr Charles Wilson said a post-mortem had found Steven’s injuries at the time of his death were consistent with drowning.

The inquest was also told Steven that had been drinking and had taken cocaine, which medical professionals say may have affected his judgement.

Recording an open conclusion, Ms Kearsley said: “Shortly before 9am on New Year’s Day there was an altercation. As a result of that altercation he received injuries to his face.

"It is unlikely that if it was not for that altercation, he would have taken that route home.

“Steven then found himself in difficult terrain that led to the River Irwell. It was treacherous and the river was swollen. I accept that this area was where Steven entered the river.

“He was a young man who went out on New Year's Eve like so many other men, and unfortunately did not come home.”

Speaking after the inquest, Steven’s mother said: “It’s the verdict that I wanted from the outset.

“I don’t believe Steven’s death was accidental, I do believe it was a result of the assault he sustained at the party."

Paying tribute to her son, she added: “Steven was outgoing, and fun loving. Once you got to know him he was a very loyal friend. He would never have left a friend at a party unless he was running scared.

“I have a strong belief that Steven left the party because he was frightened because of what happened.

“The huge support I have had from people is overwhelming. I was astounded. The first morning the search started, I walked inside the British Legion and just crumbled at the support. I’ll never be able to repay them for what they did for us.”

A criminal investigation into the assault that took place at the party is ongoing.