THE family of a teenager who drowned in a river is calling for his death to be re-investigated by police.

Oliver Hefford’s relatives spoke out after an inquest into the 19-year-old’s death ended with coroner Richard Taylor unable to say how he ended up in a 15ft-deep section of Pendle Water.

He recorded an open verdict which the family said would allow them to put pressure on police to reopen the case.

His sister Katie Hefford, 22, said she was planning to contact the Independent Police Complaints Commission because she did not believe the initial investigation into Oliver’s death was adequate.

She also pledged to speak to local MPs, Andrew Stephenson and Gordon Birtwistle, as part of the family’s campaign to have the case re-investigated.

Police however said new evidence would need to come to light to allow a review of the case.

The inquest at Burnley Coroner’s Court heard that on July 15, Oliver, who was known as Olly, had gone to the area behind Cott Beverages, on the Lomeshaye Industrial Estate, Nelson, with a man named only as ‘Irish’ to look for scrap metal.

Carol Cross and Kenneth Smith, a couple who were walking their dogs in the area, said they had seen the teenager twice and heard him shouting the name ‘Harris’, which they assumed was his dog.

Oliver’s family told the inquest he was almost certainly shouting ‘Irish’.

The couple told the inquest he was out of sight when they heard a splash, which they later realised was him going into the river.

Despite their best efforts to pull him out of the water, they were unable to reach him and he died.

The couple told the inquest that as they were trying to help Oliver out of the river a man appeared and claimed to know him. He then disappeared from the scene.

The inquest heard ‘Irish’ had been questioned by police over Oliver’s death, but no arrest was made in relation to the incident.

Katie told the inquest: “It just seems a bit weird that Irish turned up at the scene and knew Oliver was there.”

Speaking after the hearing, she said: “From the start I thought something just wasn’t right. I always thought it was suspicious.

“The police have totally turned their back on us and are acting like they are oblivious to what has happened.

“I would like it to be re-investigated. I don’t want this to be brushed under the carpet. We want justice.”

Dr Zuhir Twage, the consultant pathologist who carried out the post mortem examination, told the inquest that Oliver had amphetamines in his system at the time of his death.

He said the cause of death was drowning and an amphetamine overdose.

Katie said Oliver, of Craven Street, Brierfield, grew up in Burnley and was one of 13 brothers and sisters.

She had told the inquest the family had been so distraught following his death they had even contacted a medium to try and find out what had happened to him She said: “He was an absolutely fantastic lad.

"Obviously he had his bad side, which was his drug habit, but he was absolutely brilliant with his nieces and nephews and would do anything for anybody.

“We want to thank the couple for trying to save him, we know they did their best.”

Yesterday Detective Inspector Dave Groombridge said: “A thorough investigation was carried out at the time of the incident and a considerable amount of time was spent with the family keeping them informed.

“A number of people were spoken to at the time and I am satisfied that this was a tragic incident and no foul play involved.

“I will be speaking to the family again to go over their concerns but unless any new evidence comes to light then the case will not be reopened."