Police can't rule out that man who died having suffered horrific injuries following staircase fall in Manchester city centre was pushed, inquest told

Police can't rule out that a man who died having suffered traumatic head injuries following a fall from a staircase in Manchester city centre was pushed, an inquest heard. Cops failed to obtain what could have proven vital CCTV evidence following the death of young dad Luke Riley, a coroner was told.

The 20-year-old, from Stockport, was found dead on the morning of September 24 last year off Deansgate - between the Wren's estate agents and the railway bridge. Senior coroner Nigel Meadows has now pledged to write to the Chief Constable of Greater Manchester Police after concerns were raised by Mr Riley's family that it took more than 30 days for officers to contact the council to check CCTV footage.

By the time they did, it had been overwritten, the court heard. Mr Meadows said opportunities to preserve evidence that may have given a clearer picture of how Luke died were 'not taken'.

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It was admitted that cameras 'could have shown' Luke's movements that night, but they could not be seen. This was of particular concern to his parents, Duncan Riley and Mandy McDonald, who were highly critical of police.

"You can't rule out that he [Luke] was pushed by somebody," Mr Riley said to Detective Inspector Andrew Worthington.

"No we can't," he replied. DI Worthington, who investigated the incident, concluded there was no third party involvement and that Mr Riley accidentally fell. Mr Meadows recorded a conclusion of accidental death.

Earlier, Manchester Coroners' Court heard that just before 9.30pm on September 23, British Transport Police (BTP) were called to Deansgate station, where a train had been stopped due to a 'disturbance'.