§ 70. Mr. Wyattasked the Secretary of State for the Home Department if he will give the circumstances in which the body of a Greek Cypriot was removed by the Metropolitan Police from the Serpentine on Tuesday 3rd March at approximately 2 p.m.; how many bodies have been removed from the Serpentine by the Metropolitan Police during the past year; and what were the causes of death.
§ Mr. WoodhouseOn Tuesday, 3rd March the police were informed that a body was floating in the Serpentine. It was about 150 yards from the eastern end, and about 5 yards north of the south shore, in about 6 feet of water. The body, which was fully clothed, was recovered by the police and identified as that of an Italian citizen, who had been reported missing from his London home since 4th January. There was no suspicion of foul play. A watch worn by the dead man, which showed not only the time but the day of the month, had stopped at 11.18 on the fourth day—presumably 4th January. At the inquest on 6th March an open verdict of "found drowned" was recorded.
17WThree other bodies have been removed from the Serpentine by the Metropolitan Police during the past year. In each case the cause of death was drowning; in one case the verdict of the inquest was suicide, and in one accidental death, and in the third case an open verdict was returned.