A man found dead on a boat at Island Harbour was suspended off the side of the vessel when he was discovered, an inquest has heard.
The death of 57-year-old Anthony John Buckley has been the subject of a Section 9C inquest, with Senior Coroner Caroline Sumeray concluding that he died as a result of misadventure.
Mr Buckley, a freelance project manager who usually lived at Haslar Marina in Gosport, was found dead at 09:27 on 31st December 2024 – New Year’s Eve – on the ‘Thirsty Boots’ boat at Berth 19, Island Harbour on the outskirts of Newport.
The Section 9C inquest has detailed how Mr Buckley’s body was found suspended off the side of the boat, with his upper outer clothing entangled in the guard rail wires and his feet in the water.
The inquest recorded the medical cause of death as positional asphyxia and alcohol toxicity. Chronic alcoholic liver disease was also noted. Mr Buckley was a chronic alcoholic with a history of mental health issues.
It is known that Mr Buckley, who was born in Kingston-upon-Thames, had bought alcohol in Tesco Express, Wootton, before driving back to Binfield. It is thought that Mr Buckley then slipped as he was getting back onto his boat.
