'Luke's parents went to great lengths to keep him safe'

INQUEST HEARS YOUNGSTER HAD 'STRONG ATTRACTION TO WATER'

- PAUL BRITTON

A MUCH-LOVED 14-year-old boy with severe learning difficulties and a 'strong attraction' to water drowned in a river after he ran off from his grandparents' house, an inquest heard.

Luke Howe, who had ADHD and autism spectrum disorder, was found dead in the River Bollin, near Ashley Road in Hale, Trafford, on January 19 this year. His family said he was impulsive with a lack of fear, and often got into dangerous situations without knowing it.

The inquest heard Luke, from Sale, went to the toilet after dinner.

When he didn't return to the room the family were in his grandfather noticed the front door was open, with a key they kept high up in the lock and a 'fidget' toy Luke was playing with on the toilet on a nearby radiator. Police were called and friends, family, neighbours and even Luke's teachers went out to look for him in freezing temperatures with torches.