Man died after being trapped upside down in a drain an inquest is told

A man who died trapped upside down in a drain outside his Bury St Edmunds home had been drinking heavily an inquest has heard.

Lee Carnegie, 49, was found by a passer by in Linnet Road on May 9.

Suffolk Coroners Court in Ipswich heard today that despite being pulled free Mr Carnegie was declared dead at the scene by a paramedic.

A post mortem examination concluded that he died from acute aspiration of foreign matter, inverted entrapment in a drain and intoxication.

Blood tests revealed that he had more than three and a half times the legal drink drive limit of alcohol in his body.

In his post mortem report Dr Karl Love, consultant pathologist at West Suffolk Hospital, said that the level of intoxication made it likely that Mr Carnegie could lose his grip and fall into the drain. Once he was upside down the amount of alcohol in his body could have resulted in a condition known as postural asphyxia.

Assistant coroner Kevin McCarthy said inquiries revealed a history of drain blockage issues at the property which is owned by Havebury Housing. However examination of the drain did not show the presence of anything that should not have been there.

Mr Carnegie’s daughter Janae Bailey said her father was a very sociable man with a wide number of friends and acquaintances who had always been happy when she saw him.

His medical record showed he had a drink problem and had consulted his GP regarding chronic alcoholism. Despite referring himself to the charity Turning Point he failed to keep any appointments.

Mr McCarthy recorded a conclusion of alcohol related death.

"He clearly had an alcohol problem and should not have been doing what he was doing,” he said.