THE FATHER of an Indian student, who was found dead in a canal in the UK, plans to fly back his son’s body to India next week. Santanu Pal is waiting for the investigation into his son Souvik Pal’s mysterious death to be completed.
Souvik Pal, a 19-year-old student of Manchester Metropolitan University, had been missing since a New Year’s Eve party at the Warehouse Project in Trafford, Greater Manchester.
He was last seen at the event at about 11pm (local time) and was reported missing by a flatmate the following morning. He lived in Cavendish halls of residence on Cambridge Street.
Souvik’s father had travelled from his home in Bangalore to the UK to help with the search. A number of appeals were made to trace the student, including the use of digital advertising hoardings at Manchester United’s domestic Premier League of Football home game against Liverpool.
Souvik had trained for a part-time job serving refreshments at the stadium and worked at Manchester United’s game against West Bromwich Albion on December 29.
His body was found by specialist officers in Bridgewater Canal, near Manchester United’s Old Trafford football ground, at 2pm (local time) on Tuesday (January 22).
A post-mortem proved inconclusive and further toxicology test results are awaited to determine the cause of his death.
“These results are expected by Monday (January 28), when the body should be with the funeral directors. I am hoping to be able to fly back to India with Souvik’s body by next Wednesday (January 30),” Pal said.
Police offered condolences to the family and extended their support.
“Our thoughts and condolences are with Souvik’s family at this devastating time and our officers are doing all they can to support them,” Detective Chief Inspector Colin Larkin said.
“We do not believe there are any suspicious circumstances surrounding Souvik’s death and a file will be submitted to the coroner in due course,” he said.
Pal said he is in touch with the Indian Consulate in Birmingham to finalise details to take the body to Bangalore for final rites.
He remembered his son as a student with distinct creative skills.
“It is very tough to accept that he is no more, but I have to gradually come back to reality and think about his mother and younger brother. He was a very loving and caring person and that is what he will be remembered as.
“Souvik was a very creative boy and his painting skills were incredible. I will soon be collecting all his paintings and other belongings from his college,” he said.
Professor John Brooks, vice-chancellor at Manchester Metropolitan Universitywhere Souvik had enrolled for a product design course, described him as a very sociable and affable young man. He embraced his studies and had a real passion for design engineering.
“He was a fine student with great potential – for all of us, it is a huge shock and tragedy to lose him in this way,” he said.
