A coroner’s report into the death of a young man who drowned in the Yukon River last summer reveals the 19-year old was intoxicated moments before he jumped from the Miles Canyon bridge.

Michael Groening died on June 15, 2015.

Testing performed in B.C. last September revealed his blood-alcohol level to be 0.19 per cent at the time of his death, almost 2 1/2 times the legal limit for driving.

Indications of the use of cannabis were also found in his blood.

“Use of alcohol and cannabis can reduce inhibitions and impair judgment related to risk-taking behaviour,” Yukon chief coroner Kirsten Macdonald wrote in her judgment of inquiry.

The young man was hanging out with three friends and drinking alcohol that day, the coroner wrote.

“Mr. Groening deliberately jumped off the bridge into the water. He drowned as a result of this action.”

Whitehorse RCMP were called at around 3:45 p.m. on June 15 after the man had jumped in the Yukon River.

Witnesses saw him try to jump a first time but he was held back by his friends, the chief coroner found.

He eventually jumped and tried to swim.

A boat operator who saw the event unfolding dove into the water to try to help the man.

“Despite the valiant rescue attempt, he could not be saved,” Macdonald wrote.

Boat, helicopter and foot patrols were conducted, but without success.

His body was found July 1 in Schwatka Lake.

“The Yukon River in that area has dangerous currents, undertow and is very cold water even in the warm summer months,” Macdonald wrote.

She recommended signs be put around the Miles Canyon bridge to warn of the dangers of the Yukon River.

Since then, the Yukon government has installed three signs on the bridge.

They read “DANGER No Jumping Strong current undertow” with a pictogram.

Dianne Groening, Michael’s mother, told the Star today she had asked police and the coroner that signs be put up.

She is glad the coroner made the recommendation and that the government followed up on it.

But a sign at the head of the trail should also warn people to not drink or use alcohol there, she said.

“It’s a dangerous area,” she said, even for sober people.

Stepping too close to the edge, a person could fall into the water.

The autopsy was performed last July but the judgment of inquiry was only released March 24.

Macdonald hiked herself to the Miles Canyon suspension bridge when considering her recommendations.

She told the Star that every summer, people die from drowning in the territory.

“Alcohol consumption, not wearing lifejackets, and/or cold water/undertow are factors,” she said.

No matter how good of a swimmer a person is, cold water can be deadly.

“Waterways in Yukon demand respect,” she said.

“Alcohol reduces a person’s ability to react and impairs judgment, leading to poor decisions and injury or death.”