Drunk ship captain dies in pond fall

A Brittish ship's captain who was jailed for ploughing his 680-ton dredger into a historic pier when drunk has died after falling into a pond.

The body of Andrew Bartlett, 44, was found on a path by dog walkers. Some of his belongings were still in the water nearby. Police think he pulled himself out but then collapsed. It is believed Mr Bartlett had visited several pubs earlier in the night.

A neighbor, in Portsmouth, Hants, said: "His death is so sad, our hearts go out to his family - especially his two children. He was a good man and never had an unkind word for anyone."

Mr Bartlett caused $450,000 of damage to the 124-year-old Hythe Pier near Southampton docks when he went to sea after downing six pints in 2003. A judge sentenced him to eight months' jail.