Briton drowns after falling into Venice canal in tragic holiday incident

A 31-year-old British mechanical engineer drowned after falling into a Venetian canal during the opening evening of a romantic getaway, an inquest heard today.

Chatchawan Thongpia, who was Thai-born and lived in Scarborough with connections to Brooklands Farm in Exeter, is thought to have lost his footing while walking through the Italian city on November 3, 2025.

Coroner Catherine Devereux recorded an open conclusion at North Yorkshire Coroner's Court, telling the hearing: "No one witnessed how he came to be in the canal that evening."

Italian authorities believe Mr Thongpia may have accidentally toppled into the water after leaning against a railing.

Mr Thongpia had arrived in Venice for what was planned as a five-day break with his partner Samantha Lichfield.

The court heard that on their first night, he stepped out from their accommodation to take a walk and smoke CBD he had purchased earlier that day, seeking a secluded alleyway where the smell would not bother others.

Miss Lichfield remained at the hotel, having been awake since 2.30am that morning.

As the minutes passed, she grew increasingly worried about his absence.

She said: "As time was going on I was getting more and more anxious, I didn't expect him to be gone for very long."

Her sleep was interrupted when the hotel receptionist informed her that police officers had arrived and were waiting downstairs.

A passer-by walking near Campo Santa Marina at approximately 6.30pm had spotted a body floating in the canal.

The witness made desperate attempts to reach Mr Thongpia through the bars of a nearby bridge but was unable to maintain his grip due to the powerful current, which had already carried the body tens of metres from where he likely entered the water.

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The witness called upon another family present on the bridge to contact emergency services.

Despite their swift response, paramedics were unable to revive Mr Thongpia once his body was retrieved.

Italian police reported that CCTV footage captured some of Mr Thongpia's movements through the city, though the crucial moment he entered the water was not recorded.

A post-mortem examination determined drowning as the medical cause of death and found no injuries consistent with assault or third-party involvement.

Toxicology results revealed a cannabinoid in his system, which the pathologist concluded had likely been consumed approximately three hours before his death.

However, the pathologist's report stated it was "possible but not probable" that this substance had impaired his motor functions.

The coroner ultimately concluded there was insufficient evidence to determine precisely how Mr Thongpia came to enter the canal.

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