(Image: Family)
The daughter of a man whose body was pulled from a canal in North Yorkshire has said questions remain over his death.
Gemma Cox said she still does not know why her father, Shaun Barton, 60, visited Ripon Canal after leaving the city’s bowling club with friends at 11pm on Saturday, September 12.
Gemma said she is hoping an inquest will provide answers to the family’s questions.
Speaking ahead of an inquest into Shaun’s death opening on Friday, October 30, Gemma said she has “several concerns” that she hopes the coroner will address.
Shaun Barton whose body was recovered from Ripon Canal on September 13 (Image: Family)
She has asked for the inquest to examine the timeline of events leading to her father’s death.
Gemma also said post-mortem and toxicology tests – typically carried out after a person dies in unnatural circumstances – may help provide answers.
She said Shaun, a father of three and grandfather of six from Ripon, phoned friends to say he was lost after leaving Ripon Bowling Club on the night of September 12.
The friends searched for Shaun but were unable to find him so assumed he had gone home, Gemma said.
However the next morning, she said, one friend was still unable to find Shaun after checking his home and was later told by police that a body had been recovered from the river.
Shaun's body was found in the water with his mobility scooter on a nearby grass verge, Gemma said.
She said the circumstances surrounding his death remain unknown and described the incident as being "out of character" for Shaun.
She said her father was involved in a motorbike crash around seven years ago which resulted in serious back injuries leading to him relying on walking aids and a wheelchair.
Gemma, 38, a mother of two originally from Ripon and now living in Dorset, described her father as a "well-known person in Ripon" and "very liked".
Shaun Barton with his daughter Kimberley Barton (Image: Family)
Shaun had a painting and decorating business in Ripon and worked installing stage lighting prior to that.
"He was just happy and jolly constantly," Gemma said. "He was a good person to talk to."
"Dad was one of the most loving, down-to-earth and funny people you could ever meet," she added. "He didn't need much to be happy, and he had a way of making us laugh even when we didn't feel like smiling."
Gemma said Shaun’s funeral was held on Monday (October 19) at Maple Park Crematorium, near Thirsk, and went “really well”.
“It was an amazing service and I just hope I did my dad very proud,” she said.
“Rushton Family Funeral did an amazing job and my sister and I thank them for everything,” Gemma added. “Also, a thank you to the South Lodge for doing the wake for us.”