A PLEASURE cruise ended in tragedy when a pensioner plunged into the Leeds and Liverpool canal.

Mr Donald McDonald, 72, was pronounced dead on arrival at hospital after his body was pulled from the water at Hapton by a passerby.

It is believed he had been trying to fit a tarpaulin sheet over his boat The Charlie Boy in bad weather and may have had a heart attack either before or after hitting the water.

Police were today investigating exactly how Mr McDonald, of Quebec Road, Blackburn, died.

Police Inspector John Grice said someone phoned at 8pm to say there was a body in the canal near to the Bridge House Hotel.

Police arrived to find that several people had mounted a rescue to pull Mr McDonald out of the water.

Other emergency services were at the scene and Mr McDonald was taken to Burnley General Hospital where he was found to be dead on arrival.

Inspector Grice added: "We are investigating how he ended up in the canal and we expect our inquiries to conclude following a post mortem examination today.

"We are satisfied there are no suspicious circumstances.''

Mr McDonald was with his wife, Diana, on their cabin cruiser The Charlie Boy, which was moored near the pub with two other narrow boats.

It is believed that when it began to rain heavily Mr McDonald tried to put up the awning on the boat.

East Lancashire Coroner David Smith has been informed.

Today family members at Mr McDonald's home said they were too upset to talk. His son added: "We are going to see the coroner today and will know more about what happened afterwards."

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