![\"The](\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/uk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/0_canalll.jpg\")
<\/p>\nHe is believed to have been in the water for around a week before being found<\/p>\n
The Leeds-Liverpool Canal near to Hoghton(Image: Mat Fascione)<\/p>\n
Police have finally identified a man who was found dead in the Leeds-Liverpool canal four months ago.<\/p>\n
Officers from South Ribble<\/a> issued a public appeal in April<\/a> after the man’s body was found in the canal on February 12 near to Bolton Road close to Junction 3 of the M65<\/a>. He is believed to have been in the water for around a week before being found.<\/p>\n Despite extensive enquiries, including DNA testing, police were unable to confirm his identity and released a description of him in the hope it would jog someone’s memory.<\/p>\n Police said the man, aged in his 40s, “had used blue string to fashion a belt” and had some Bulgarian medication in his belongings. He was wearing two pairs of socks, two jackets, a hoodie, a sweater and a pair of jeans.<\/p>\n “We want to find out who this man is, so we can notify his loved ones, and he can be given a fitting farewell,” officers said at the time.<\/p>\n \u201cIf you recognise any of the descriptive details we\u2019ve told you about today, we ask that you please get in touch with us through the appropriate channels.<\/p>\n \u201cIt may be that this man could be your family member, a friend, a colleague or neighbour, or even someone you usually see out and about, but haven\u2019t for a while.”<\/p>\n An inquest into the man’s death was opened at Preston<\/a> Coroners’ Court<\/a> on Thursday June 4. The court heard that Kalpeshbhai Patel had been identified using his fingerprints.<\/p>\n Senior Coroner Chris Long confirmed that 48-year-old Mr Patel had been born in India and normally lived in Blackburn<\/a>.<\/p>\n “The circumstances reported to me indicate that the deceased may have died by drowning,” the coroner said. “In the circumstances there is reason to suspect the cause of death is unnatural.”<\/p>\n A final inquest will be held at Preston Coroners’ Court on October 1.<\/p>\n We’re here to help<\/p>\n You don’t have to suffer in silence if you’re struggling with your mental health.<\/p>\n Here are some groups you can contact:<\/p>\n Samaritans:<\/strong> Phone 116 123, 24 hours a day, or email jo@samaritans.org<\/a>, in confidence.<\/p>\n Childline:<\/strong> Phone 0800 1111. Calls are free and won’t show up on your bill.<\/p>\n PAPYRUS: <\/strong>Suicide prevention charity offering professional help and support to children, young people and anyone concerned for someone struggling with life. Call HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039 967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n Depression Alliance: <\/strong>A charity for people with depression. No helpline, but it offers useful resources and links to other information.<\/p>\n Students Against Depression:<\/strong> A website for students who are depressed, have low mood, or are suicidal. Click here to visit<\/a>.<\/p>\n Bullying UK:<\/strong> A website for both children and adults affected by bullying. Click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM):<\/strong> For young men who are feeling unhappy. There is a helpline: 0800 58 58 58 or visit the website<\/a>.<\/p>\n