AN inquest heard that a man whose death sparked a murder probe died in a river after he 'jumped in to save his wife'.

Cockermouth Coroners’ Court was told Simon Dodds tragically drowned after he went into the River Kent after his wife Lisa, who was said to have been attempting to end her own life.

Police, firefighters and Kendal Mountain Rescue arrived at the scene in Sedgwick to search for Mr Dodds.

Police frogmen found the 43-year-old's body after a two-day search on August 13, 2019 close to Levens Hall.

He was pronounced dead later that day at Royal Lancaster Infirmary.

The inquest heard the river was around 1.5m deep at the time and would have been dangerous for anyone in the water.

Following the discovery, detectives arrested a 30-year-old woman on suspicion of murder.

The coroner was told injuries were found on Mr Dodds’ head, but the exact cause was unknown.

Following an investigation detectives decided to take no further action, the hearing was told.

Mr and Mr Dodds had three children but were no longer together.

Mr Dodd's described as a ‘doting family man’, was a popular newsagent who ran Sell View in Ambleside’s Church Street.

The inquest heard a witness driving to work said she drove past a car with a smashed windscreen near Brettargh Holt and spotted Mrs Dodds on the morning on August 11.

In a statement read to the hearing Sophie Marlborough said she stopped to check she was OK and was told by Mrs Dodds that she had fallen in the river and could not find her husband.

She said Mrs Dodds told her she had fallen in the river but grabbed hold of a tree branch and managed to bring herself to safety - but could not find her husband.

Mrs Dodds told the woman that, with no car keys, she had attempted to break through the windscreen of her husband’s car with a brick to find her phone and call for help.

The coroner was told in a car near to the scene, officers found a suicide note written by Mrs Dodds as well as a video signalling her plans to take her own life.

It described a plan to stop for a toilet break and then to jump into the water, saying she heard ‘voices’.

“They say they will kill the girls,” she said.

“I’m going to go and jump in the river. I’m really sorry.”

Officers also found a suicide note in a notebook left in the car.

The court heard Mrs Dodds, who had mental health issues including bipolar, had attempted to end her life in the past but had instantly regretted going into the water.

Recording a narrative conclusion, coroner Craig Smith said: “Simon Dodds was found deceased on August 13 at the River Kent in Sedgwick.

“I do not from the evidence know how Mr Dodds came to be in the river and whether his injuries were sustained before or after entering the water.”

He added: “Simon’s sad passing will have a devastating impact on his family.

"He was a doting family man, he served the community from his newsagents.

“He will be sadly missed by his family, friends and those who knew him.”