Tragic carer 'could have jumped into canal' to save disabled man

A SUPPORT worker who drowned in a freezing canal 'could have jumped in' after the disabled man he was caring for, an inquest heard.

- By DAMON WILKINSON

Ceri John Jenkins, 60, and Aaron Ritchie, 49, drowned in Wigan in a double tragedy in November 2023. Mr Ritchie, who the jury heard had autism, epilepsy and a mental age of 10 or less, was a long-term resident of Mayfield House care home in the town, while Mr Jenkins was his care worker on the day.

The pair were walking together on a towpath of the Leeds and Liverpool Canal in Abram, near Crankwood Road on a day when the temperature was said to be 2-3C. It was said to be one of Mr Ritchie's favourite walks and a route he had taken a 'thousand times.

The jury at Bolton Coroners Court heard of a 15-minute 'window' between when they were last seen and when witnesses saw them in the water near bridge number five. Timothy Brennand, the coroner, said it wasn't known who entered the water first.