Lucas Dobson inquest re-opened after death in River Stour
13:54, 17 December 2019
updated: 13:54, 17 December 2019
The inquest looking into the death of tragic Lucas Dobson re-opened today.
The six-year-old died after falling into the River Stour in Sandwich on Saturday, August 17 while on a family fishing trip.
A huge search and rescue mission was launched to locate the youngster, but his body was sadly discovered on Wednesday, August 21 in the water close to where he had fallen in.
His funeral was held on September 13 in his home town of Deal on what would have been his seventh birthday.
An inquest, which opened in September, revealed he died from immersion.
It was resumed today at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone.
It was attended by his father Nathan Dobson, his grandparents, an aunt and uncle and a lawyer representing his mother, Kirsty Furze.
During the pre inquest review, assistant coroner Joanne Andrews outlined which witnesses would be called at the full hearing.
This includes the investigating officer from Kent Police plus Mr Dobson, who was there on the day Lucas fell into the water.
Ben Leb, the barrister for Ms Furze, asked the coroner to call three further witnesses who were also there on the day so they could provide information about exactly where people were standing and who went into the water.
But instead, Ms Andrews said she will ask them to provide written statements, and based on what these include make a decision about whether they need to be called.
Mr Leb also requested a full statement be provided by Mr Dobson.
An emotional Mr Dobson, who was not represented, said he will provide one, adding: "I know what happened that day. It plays over everyday."
Other evidence such as the pathology report, ID statement and toxicology report are also expected to be given in evidence.
A request has also been made to Kent Police to provide a location plan of the garden and jetty, and photographs of the area.
A date has yet to be set for the full inquest, which is expected to last 90 minutes.
