A boat owner today told an inquest into the worst ever tragedy on the Leeds-Liverpool Canal, in which four people died, that he warned the party of turbulence in a lock.
Richard Bradburn, owner of the Silsden-based company that rented the narrowboat to the group, said before they took the vessel out they had received detailed instructions.
The boat, Drum Major, sank last August in Stegneck Lock, Gargrave, pictured. Those who died when the boat flooded by the stern were Beverley Wilson, 33, Eric Jones, 43, and John McGill, 49, all of Barrow-In-Furness, and Peter Burgess, of Dalton-in-Furness.
All suffered learning difficulties and were on holiday courtesy of Cumbria Social Services.
Coroner Jeremy Cave told the Skipton hearing: "There were some very courageous and determined attempts to save lives, but tragically there were not successful." The inquest, expected to last two days, continues.
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