Hotel fall death after 10 lagers

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A holidaymaker died after drinking up to 10 bottles of lager and falling over the fifth floor balcony of his Turkish hotel, an inquest has heard.

Adam Thomas, 22, from Llangynwyd, near Maesteg, was on his first holiday with his girlfriend when he died.

He was believed to be having a late-night cigarette when he fell 70ft, the inquest at Brackla, Bridgend, heard.

The coroner said Mr Thomas probably fell after "having a little bit too much ale". Verdict: Accidental death.

Mr Thomas's parents and his girlfriend of 10 months, Leah Powell, 27, were not present at Friday's inquest.

The inquest heard that Ms Powell was unaware of what had happened to her boyfriend until she was woken by hotel staff to say he had been rushed to hospital in the early hours of 6 June this year. The surrounding circumstances of somebody who was on holiday with his girlfriend having a jolly good time doesn't lend itself to somebody jumping off a balcony." Coroner Philip Walters

Despite emergency surgery, Mr Thomas died the following day with his girlfriend and parents, who had flown out from south Wales, at his bedside.

In a statement, Miss Powell said they had flown to Turkey on 2 June and were staying at the Hotel Litera in Icmeler.

On 5 June they went on a safari and later went to a bar to meet friends, she said.

"Adam was drinking bottles of lager and drank approximately eight to 10 bottles, " said Miss Powell.

Later they went to a nightclub and at 0100 BST walked back to their apartment.

"We were both merry but we were able to walk back OK. Adam was fine and didn't complain of illness.

"We got back to the apartment which was on the fifth floor. I don't recall much after this," Miss Powell said.

'Drinking quite heavily'

Mr Thomas would often have a cigarette on the balcony at night, she said.

At 3am, Miss Powell said she was woken, still dressed, by hotel staff who said Mr Thomas had fallen and was in hospital but was okay.

When she woke again later that morning she was told Mr Thomas had actually suffered severe head injuries.

Pathologist Dr Philip Brumwell said Mr Thomas sustained numerous fractures and a brain haemorrhage from the fall.

He said there was no evidence of defence-type injuries and Mr Thomas died as a result of multiple injuries.

Bridgend coroner Philip Walters said: "We have got evidence that Adam had been drinking quite heavily. This is backed up by the fact that his girlfriend didn't wake at any time but said he was in the habit of getting up for a cigarette.

"The police investigation in Turkey, and assisted by the post-mortem report, said there are no defence type injuries. The police are quite happy there was nobody else involved.

"The surrounding circumstances of somebody who was on holiday with his girlfriend having a jolly good time doesn't lend itself to somebody jumping off a balcony."

He added: "The great probability is as a result of having a little bit too much ale he has fallen over the balcony and I propose to record a verdict of accidental death."