MISSING Wagga man Andrew Bourke most likely accidentally drove into the Tumut River at Brungle and either died from hypothermia or drowned, a coroner found yesterday.
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Mr Bourke, 44, was reported missing by friend Wayne Candish in late July last year.
An inquest in Wagga into Mr Bourke's disappearance heard from Inspector Matt Tishler that the friends had been camping beside the fast-flowing and cold river when an intoxicated Mr Bourke decided to warm up by getting into the cabin of his utility and turning on the engine.
Strangely, Mr Bourke had the habit of putting his car in gear without the handbrake on and with his foot on the clutch under these circumstances.
Mr Candish, who was also intoxicated, joined him in the cabin and both passed out, the inquest heard.
Some time after, the ute moved five to 10 metres from the river bank into the water.
Mr Candish was able to escape through the passenger door of the submerged vehicle and swim to safety, but Mr Bourke did not.
Deputy state coroner Hugh Dillon said given Mr Bourke's poor health and swimming ability, the cold water and its speed it was most likely Mr Bourke was swept out of the open passenger side door and his body jammed under a log, rock or something else downstream.
One of Mr Bourke's brothers, Ray, expressed concern to Mr Dillon that police had never asked him for a statement about the tragedy even though he was the last immediate family member to see him alive.
Mr Dillon said that with any luck, Mr Bourke's body would one day be recovered so his family could give him a decent funeral.
