The death of a teenager, who drowned at Walthamstow Marshes last year, has been ruled an accident by an inquest.

Jack Susianta, 17, of Hackney, died in a canal at Lea Bridge Road on July 29. At the time he was being pursued by police after fleeing his home.

Witnesses to the incident had claimed officers refused to enter the water to save him, something the Metropolitan Police denied, saying one officer risked his life and entered the water.

However, inquest jurors at St Pancras coroners court today (Friday, April 29) concluded the teenager’s death was a drug related accident.

The inquest heard Mr Susianta had developed drug-induced psychosis after taking MDMA at a music festival, which led to the bout of paranoia that caused him to run away from his family home.

Jurors were shown footage of the A-Level student’s final moments, shot from a police helicopter.

A voice on the footage said that Mr Susianta has refused a life line several times and "intentionally submerged himself in the water".

The court heard no one entered the water until four minutes after the teenager was submerged, when an officer in waders jumped into the canal.

Statements from officers such as: "Are you happy for us to go in?" and "Need an answer" accompanied the footage of the incident.

Following the verdict, the Met's Commander for east London, Lucy D'Orsi, said: “Following Jack's death, my thoughts remain with his family and friends.

“It is impossible for me to understand how they have managed to cope with Jack's death, something most of us hope never to have to deal with.

“I also recognise the impact Jack's death has had on members of the public who watched as the incident unfolded last July and other emergency service personnel involved.

"That day also had a lasting impact on the police officers who had been called by Jack's family to help them. None of my colleagues come to work knowing what they will deal with during their shift.

“A local officer made the decision to enter the water and tried to rescue Jack.

“Once he was submerged, this was a personal choice and we should not underestimate the bravery of this officer. The officer would have been well aware of the dangers of entering the water.

"My colleague who entered the water to help Jack and others involved, are naturally very upset that they were unable to help him and save his life.”