Fresh probe into death plunge

POPULAR: Kyle Winterbottom.

1 More Image(s) In Gallery

Coroner orders case to reopen


A CORONER has ordered the police investigation into a teenage boy’s death reopened after the raising of suspicions at the inquest.

Kyle Winterbottom (16), who died last August after falling 40ft from the balcony of a block of flats, showed the teenager had taken a cocktail of drugs, including cannabis, ketamine and ecstasy.

His family aasked if it was possible Kyle, of Limeside, could have taken the drugs unwittingly.

Coroner Simon Nelson has asked Greater Manchester Police to undertake a more thorough look at the circumstances surrounding Kyle’s death to rule out the possibility of third party involvement.

Kyle’s mum Joanne Kelly said she was aware her son smoked and drank at parties and had occasionally used cannabis, but wasn’t aware he used other drugs.

She added she wasn’t aware of anyone else at the party having been offered drugs and that since Kyle’s death there were rumours his drink had been spiked.

Kyle’s uncle Allen Winterbottom told the court he had heard a range of different stories from people who had never been approached by police for interviews.

Kyle had gone out to meet his brother early that evening but instead met a group of friends and went to a friend’s flat on the third floor of Heywood House in Eldon Street.

Kyle’s close friend Joy Conroy said when she arrived he seemed angry or upset and made his way downstairs to find their friends on the second floor.

He returned a few minutes later and hugged her.

He climbed on to the balcony wall and sat with his back to Joy. She grabbed his hand, worried he might fall but turned away when he asked her to let go; when she turned back she saw only his fingers grasping as he fell. Joy believed he had been trying to climb to the floor below to see friends.

Kyle was rushed to the Royal Oldham Hospital at around 3am and underwent emergency surgery. He was confirmed dead at 9.20pm due to massive liver trauma. As well as cannabis, animal tranquilliser ketamine and ecstasy in his system, Kyle had 195mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood — over twice the legal driving limit.

Coroner Simon Nelson told the court: “My concerns replicate those expressed by the family. I feel it is essential to the inquiry that it is absolutely established that the possible involvement of any third party has been ruled out.

“That can only be done if there is a thorough investigation that requires the careful and detailed interviewing of those determined to be in the company of Kyle during those hours preceding his death.

“I am referring the matter back to Greater Manchester Police to undertake those inquiries. When they are complete I will ask the senior investigating officer to attend and give a report.”