Nicola Bulley’s final moments have been recreated by police in a video shown at an inquest into the mother-of-two’s death.
The 45-year-old, who went missing in St Michael’s on Wyre on January 27, was found dead three weeks later after officers launched a massive search amid widespread public interest.
A video filmed by PC Matthew Thackray recreated Bulley’s route down river while the officer was wearing a “fairly buoyant suit”.
The clip was shown after the inquest was told the mother-of-two likely fell into the River Wyre from a “cliff-edge drop”.
A post mortem revealed Nicola Bulley was alive when she entered the waterLancashire PoliceShe travelled at a “metre-a-second” downstream in the “steady flow” of the river, it was also claimed.
PC Thackray said: “You can see it's fairly clear at the point of entry.
"I'm into the middle of the river now and it is pushing me down towards the weir.
“If she did fall in she would probably be floating and be pushed along.”
Police activity outside County Hall in Preston, LancashirePAHe added: "If I were to sit down in that water now you can see that it's taking me along faster. It's now probably at a slow jogging pace.
“As you come around the corner you can see the weir in front of us. It's around about 300 metres from the point of entry.
“As you get towards it water is now shin deep on me but we do think it is down a little bit from the day in question.
“But if you’re floating it is still more than enough water to push you along.
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Flowers, and ribbons are tied to a bench by the River Wyre in St Michael's on Wyre, Lancashire
PA
“As you get to the weir you can see there's a lip but there's a lot of water going over it. The water is now down from how it was on the day
“But it can comfortably push me over and I can float over.”
A two-day inquest into Bulley’s death opened yesterday at Preston’s County Hall.
Bulley’s partner Paul Ansell, sister Louise Cunningham and parents Ernest and Dot Bulley were also in attendance.
Police officers walk past flowers and yellow ribbons tied to a bridge over the River Wyre
PA
The cause of Bulley’s death was confirmed as drowning, a Home Office pathologist said yesterday.
Speaking at an inquest at Preston's County Hall today, Dr Alison Armour said watery fluid and fragments of dirt found inside Bulley's body were "typical features we see in cases of drowning".
The pathologist also claimed there was "no evidence" the mother-of-two was harmed as she rejected the suggestion of any third party involvement.
Dr Armour told the court: “I gave the cause of death as drowning.
Family handout image of Nicola BulleyPA"The watery fluid identified within the stomach and also in the lungs themselves are classical features as we see in cases of drowning.”
She added: “Ms Bulley was alive when she entered the water - because it is an active process to swallow and inhale water into lungs.
"My opinion as to the cause of death is that it was drowning.”
The pathologist also said Bulley had not been drinking before her death.
Lancashire Police previously revealed the mother-of-two had struggled with alcohol and perimenopause.