The death of a Kingston University student whose body was found in the River Thames after a night out, was a “genuine tragic accident”, a coroner has ruled.

Jamie Smith, 19, originally from Grimsby, died after a night out in Kingston more than two years ago, West London Coroner’s Court heard on Wednesday, April 1.

The second year medical biochemistry student, who lived in Villiers Road, Surbiton, was seen on CCTV leaving Bacchus bar at about 2am on Saturday, January 19, 2013.

The footage also showed Mr Smith, who worked at Kingston’s Jelly Bugs children’s play centre, collide with a door and fall on his back.

Coroner Chinyere Inyama said: “It is clear from the CCTV he was under the influence of alcohol.”

He added: “He was very unsteady on his feet and he fell over twice.”

Mr Smith was found after divers began a search near Barge Walk, Hampton Wick, following reports of a person in the river near Kingston.

The teenager was found with enough alcohol in his blood to have been 50 per cent over the drink-drive limit, Mr Inyama said.

He added the fact that Mr Smith had all of his belongings with him when he was found indicated his death was unlikely to have been the result of a criminal act.

At the time of his death, Kingston University’s course director Dr Nigel Page said: “Jamie was a very polite and courteous young man who was always able to express himself well.

“He was very involved in university life and was a course representative – a role he performed extremely diligently. Jamie will be very much missed by staff and students alike.”