Police and the fire service lack the know-how to tackle underwater rescues, a coroner said yesterday.

Geoffrey Saul ordered a jury to return a verdict of accidental death at the inquest of Michael Barnett, 28 — who died of hypothermia after four hours trapped neck-high in raging floodwaters last June.

The Hull coroner said he will write to the Government about firefighters’ lack of training using cutting equipment underwater — and police divers only knowing search rather than rescue techniques.

He added: “It’s clear they don’t have an underwater rescue capability.”

The inquest heard how Michael’s leg got wedged in a temporary grille covering a drain he was trying to clear behind his fish importing business in Hessle, Hull.

Rescuers tried to winch out the grille three times using a fire engine but to no avail. A doctor was called to amputate his leg but it was impossible.