"IT was a total waste of a life." That was the reaction of a mother after an inquest heard that her son died when he swam in the River Ouse after drinking the equivalent of 16 tots of whisky.

Assistant York coroner Jonathan Leach issued a stark warning about the dangers of drinking and river swimming, after recording a verdict of accidental death on Stephen Holding.

The 43-year-old, of Crombie Avenue, York, died after plunging into the Ouse on June 19, as his son stood helplessly nearby, .

"Mr Holding attempted to swim in the river, having had, it would appear, a considerable amount to drink," Mr Leach said.

"It brings home yet again the dangers of swimming in the river at that time of the year having consumed alcohol."

The tragedy happened in the section of water near Clifton Bridge at about 4.15pm after Mr Holding had been drinking wine with another man. Both had children with them.

The inquest heard how a plan was hatched that the pair should both swim across the river, but Mr Holding had not been in the water long when he began shouting hysterically and stopped moving.

Martin Ensbury, a bus driver and former lifeguard who happened to be passing, promptly dived in to the water and pulled the unconscious man out.

Police who arrived at the scene found two people administering CPR, but Mr Holding died later. Bottles of wine were found nearby.

Tests showed Mr Holding's blood contained 286mg of alcohol - the equivalent of eight pints of beer or 16 tots of whisky in a man weighing 78.4kg (about 12 stone).

Mr Leach recorded the cause of death as drowning and alcohol.

Outside the inquest, Mr Holding's mother, Ann, from Acaster Malbis, said: "It's a warning - he was a good, strong swimmer. It was the drink - there's no two ways about it.

"It was a total waste of a life. He was a talented boy. When he was young, he was all set to become a professional footballer.

"He was always very, very artistic, lots of people have his paintings. It's such a total waste."

Stephen's father, Laurence, said: "He was a free spirit. Unfortunately, that's what got him into trouble."

Updated: 10:03 Monday, October 17, 2005