The 30-year-old threw the woman a life ring before jumping into the river.
An inquest into the death of a man who lost his life after saving a woman from the River Lagan is set to take place this summer.
On the morning of May 5, 2023, Patrick “Paddy” Fearon spotted someone struggling in the River Lagan. Without hesitation, he threw a life ring and jumped in to try and save them.
The 30-year-old had recently moved to Belfast from Armagh for a data analyst job in the health service, having spent a number of years studying and working in Scotland.
A woman was rescued from the river and taken to hospital for treatment. Tragically, Paddy lost his life while ensuring another would survive. He had previously rescued his sister, Eisha, and their pets from a house fire when he was just 14.
Mourners at his funeral heard Mr Fearon had “died a hero saving a life”.
The passing of the popular young man, who endeared himself to all he met, tore a hole among his friends and family – and none more so than his mother, Linda, who at the time described Patrick as “a joy to have as a son”.
At a brief preliminary hearing at the Coroners Court in Belfast on Wednesday, a barrister said two items remained outstanding from the PSNI in relation to photographs of the scene and CCTV footage.
He added that from the coroner’s service perspective, disclosure “is almost very much complete”.
The court heard that a provisional witness list for the two-day inquest, scheduled for June 1st and 2nd, has also been provided.
Coroner Fiona Fee suggested a review of proceedings in late April, adding that it would be “very unorthodox” to change the hearing dates at this stage.
“I would be loath to move the hearing date for any outstanding lines of inquiry that could have been flagged up in advance,” she added.
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