AN animal lover died of hypothermia after falling through ice into a reservoir while trying to rescue his dog, an inquest heard.

Adam Littleford went out onto the frozen High Rid Reservoir, in Lostock, just days before Christmas, after his German Shepherd dog, Booma, got into difficulties.

The inquest at Bolton Crown Court was told yesterday the 43- year-old fell through the ice and could not get out.

Speaking after the inquest, his father, David Littleford, said: “It would have been his natural reaction to help. If it had been a wild thing he would have done something, he was that kind of man.”

The inquest heard Mr Littleford left his mother, Joan Hargrave’s, house in Chorley between 9pm and 10pm on Sunday, December 20, to walk Booma, a rescue dog, on his way to his home in Ollerton Terrace, Eagley.

His body was pulled from High Rid Reservoir in High Rid Lane, at noon the next day, after his car, a Mitsubishi Shogan, and Booma, were found there.

There were no witnesses to the incident, but from the evidence, deputy coroner Alan Walsh concluded Booma had gone on to the ice and got into difficulties.

Mr Littleford, a sales director, had then followed him and fallen through the ice.

The post-mortem examination revealed he had grazes on his body from trying to haul himself out of the hole his fall had created.

The inquest was told hypothermia would have set in quickly, killing him in minutes.

Mr Littleford, a former Rivington and Blackrod High School pupil, who was not married and had no children, liked to take in rescue dogs.

Mr Walsh recorded a verdict of accidental death, saying: “This was a rescue mission to help his devoted companion. I am sure he was devoted to his dog, Booma, as much as the dog was devoted to him.

“It is very sad that it should have led to his death.”

Mr Littleford, added: “He was such a big lad, so lovable and bubbly. It is our sad loss and I miss him every minute of every day.”