On October 1 of last year, Alex Murray, a 31-year-old man, tragically died after tripping over a step outside his home.
Alex had spent the day drinking with friends in various pubs in Blackburn, Lancashire, celebrating his new job, which he was due to start days later in Cleveleys.
He was seen leaving the Moorgate pub at around 1am with two women, before being spotted arriving home at 2.40am on CCTV.
According to Sergeant Chris Birchall of Lancashire Constabulary, who was one of the first on the scene, Alex was found lying on the ground with his head on a small step, about six feet away from the side door.
It was not possible to say exactly what had happened, but potentially it was a fall.
The toxicology report revealed that Alex was intoxicated at the time of his death and there was evidence of recent cocaine use.
A post-mortem CT scan showed that Alex had suffered a small subarachnoid hemorrhage, a head injury that causes bleeding in the space that surrounds the brain, and a fractured eye socket.
At an inquest held on Thursday at Blackburn Town Hall, Neurosurgeon Naufel Ansar was consulted to review the evidence and interpret the medical findings.
He concluded that although he could not definitively say the hemorrhage was the cause of death, it was a possibility.
Assistant Coroner Sian Jones returned a conclusion of accidental death for Alex.
She was satisfied that what he suffered was a simple accident, likely caused or contributed to by alcohol affecting his mobility and stability.
Alex’s family said he was ‘loved by everyone’ and tributes flooded in for the ‘true gent loved by so many’.
His friend Chris McKenzie said Alex was ‘a true gent that I am so thankful to have known’.
He added Alex would be ‘missed by many, but I’m sure I can speak for everyone in saying he will never be forgotten!’
Blackburn pubs the Moorgate Arms and the Fox and Hounds held a series of fundraisers to help Alex’s family pay for the funeral, including an auction with items donated by well-known Blackburn Rovers fan Birdie.
A GoFundMe page launched by Alex’s sister Vanessa raised more than £7,000.
Alex’s mother added that he was over the moon about his new job and had found out earlier in the week.
She could still see his face after he got the news; he was buzzing all week.
Alex’s sister Vanessa told LancsLive after the inquest that so many people loved him.
In Blackburn, everyone knew him; she was known as Alex’s sister, even though she was older.
»Tragic death of 31-year-old man after celebrating new job«
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