MAN ‘STRUGGLED’ TO DEAL WITH PAIN AFTER OPERATION ON HIS LEG

Technician ‘may have bought stronger medication online’

A 27-YEAR-OLD man was found dead of an accidental overdose following an operation.

Alexander Mcmanus’ body was discovered at his home in Corporation Street, Stoke, on August 15 last year.

An inquest heard the HS2 rope access technician broke his leg in an accident at work six weeks before he died.

Mr Mcmanus was initially taken to Coventry Hospital after the accident, but was transferred to the Royal Stoke, pictured right, on June 22 where he underwent surgery.

Following the operation, he was discharged and given painkillers.

However, he struggled to cope with the pain. The hearing was told it was ‘possible’ he bought more medication online to help him deal with the pain.

On August 10, he was taken to A&E following an accidental overdose. He was last seen by his friend of five years, James Herriot.

Mr Herriot told the inquest: “I would call him my little brother.

He had a serious leg injury at work.

“He stayed with his mum and dad for four weeks after the operation, but returned to Stokeon-trent two weeks ago.

“He was given medication from the hospital, but he told me he couldn’t handle the pain.

“I went to see him on August 14 and he was sleeping. I was going to Sainsbury’s and asked if he wanted anything.

“I tried to Facetime him the next day. At 6.05pm, I left my house and made my way to his house. I was concerned because he was not answering the phone. I rang an ambulance on the way there.

“I let myself in – I know he never locked the door. I was calling his name. He was lying on the sofa and I could tell he wasn’t asleep. I could feel his body was cold.”

A Staffordshire Police officer arrived at about 7pm. Three paramedics were also present.

PC Loxley said: “I walked in and saw a sofa up against the wall. A male was on the sofa.

“There was a coffee table with multiple packets of medication he was receiving for a serious broken leg. It’s suspected he bought other stronger pain relief online which he might have overdosed on.”

Dr Mark Lawson conducted Mr Mcmanus’ post-mortem examination. He said: “Postmortem bloods show he had taken a number of drugs”

His cause of death was put down to combined drug toxicity. North Staffordshire assistant coroner Sarah Murphy recorded a conclusion of accidental drug overdose.

She said: “It’s clear he was suffering a lot with pain in his leg. It’s possible he purchased further non-prescribed medication in an attempt to

manage his pain.