A trainee chef whose body and mountain bike were found in the River Thames died as a result of an accident, a coroner has ruled.

Liam Tait's parents, who were represented by a barrister at yesterday's inquest, felt that the death of their son, 18, had been suspicious.

But Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner, agreeing with Thames Valley Police, said all the evidence pointed to a tragic accident.

Mr Tait, of Foxborough Road, Radley, was working at the Four Pillars Hotel, Sandford, at the time of his death in July last year. The night before his body was found at Sandford Lock, he had attended a chefs' party at the hotel and then left at about 1.30am to cycle home.

A post-mortem examination revealed that his blood alcohol level was 207 milligrammes of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood. The legal driving limit is 80mg.

Mr Tait's father, James, said his son had told him of an incident at the hotel when he was dumped in a sink by two chefs for a prank, including pastry chef Benjamin Roe, of Sparrow Way, Greater Leys.

He claimed Mr Roe had told his son that the next time it would be the river.

But Det Sgt Christopher Biddle said there was no substance to the allegation and no sign of a struggle near the scene, although bicycle tyre tracks were found on the verge by the river.

Medical evidence revealed the cause of death as immersion in water. Mr Gardiner said that there was no evidence to suggest unlawful killing.