Man died as a result of drowning, coroner rules

Anthony (Tony) Agard

A coroner has ruled that a 46-year-old family-man died as a result of drowning.

Tony Agard was reported missing on Friday 21 July after he was last believed to be at his home on Meadway.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/111501/missing-tony-agard

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/111601/community-comes-together-in-loving-memory-of-tony-agard

Tony was found at Lock 50 of the Rochdale Canal four days after his disappearance.

Assistant coroner Catherine McKenna recorded an open conclusion at the inquest, saying: “It is more likely than not that Tony entered the canal at some time between the night of 21 July and the early hours of 22 July 2017. He was alive at the time that he entered the canal and died as a result of drowning. The evidence does not disclose how he came to be in the canal.”

Follow his disappearance, Tony’s friends and family rallied together to search for him, with the wider community raising over £7,000 towards the funeral.

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/111667/charity-events-raise-over-%C2%A3500-towards-tony-agard%E2%80%99s-funeral

https://www.rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/138/community-news/111762/over-%C2%A37000-raised-towards-tony-agard%E2%80%99s-funeral-at-weekend-fundraisers