Weston-super-Mare man died from drug overdose

A 43-year-old from Weston-super-Mare died after accidently overdosing on drugs he took to manage his agonising pain, a coroner has ruled.

David Simpson, of Canterbury Close, suffered with ankylosing spondylitis, a form of severe arthritis affecting the lower back.

He also suffered with numerous kidney stones, which would leave him in even worse agony.

Flax Bourton Coroner's Court heard Mr Simpson was found dead at his home, which he shared with wife Lynne and sons Ben and James, on September 18 last year.

Toxicologist Dr Peter Astley said Mr Simpson is likely to have died after mixing dangerous levels of dihydrocodeine, methadone and amitriptyline to relieve his pain.

Mrs Simpson said her husband, who served with the RAF for 12 years before starting his own business, had lots of drugs for his pain, but had no idea where he got hold of methadone. Mr Simpson's doctor Steven Pearse-Danker confirmed he had never prescribed methadone to his patient.

Dr Pearse-Danker told the court that he had chosen to refer Mr Simpson's case to a number of consultants, because it was beyond his medical knowledge.

He did, however, monitor Mr Simpson's drug intake, as he was concerned the patient was becoming addicted to painkillers.

Mrs Simpson described how the disease had affected her husband.

"David was a very confident person, full of life and a born leader," she said. "He was proud to have our sons, Ben and James.

"He always had back pain and knew his father suffered with ankylosing spondylitis, which is hereditary. He would take all opportunities in life in case he was struck down with the same illness."

She said between 2006 and May 2008, he changed dramatically as he struggled to deal with the immense amount of pain he was in, and took large doses of painkillers.

Mrs Simpson said after an 11-day stint at the Royal National Hospital for Rheumatic Diseases in Bath, he was very positive about the future.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Avon Deputy coroner Brian Whitehouse, said: "Mr Simpson took these drugs, but in taking them did not intend to take his life."