Man on night out to celebrate new job died after 'fall outside his house'

A 31-year-old man who was "loved by everyone" died after a tragic fall while on a night out celebrating his new job, an inquest has heard.

Alex Murray, from Blackburn, Lancashire, had been out with friends on Saturday 1 October last year ahead of starting a new job in the town of Cleveleys the following Monday.

He visited the Moorgate Arms on the night out and CCTV footage later showed him getting into a taxi with two women.

At about 2.40am, a neighbour's CCTV showed Mr Murray walking towards his home in Preston New Road, and he disappeared around the side of the house.

He was later found unresponsive by his mother, the inquest at Blackburn Town Hall heard on Thursday.

Sergeant Chris Birchall of Lancashire Constabulary, who was one of the first on the scene, told the inquest it appeared that Mr Murray had fallen or tripped next to a small step in the garden.

Police said there was no evidence of third party involvement in his death.

"Alex was found lying on the floor with his head on a small step," said Sergeant Birchall.

"He was about six feet away from the side door. It wasn't possible to say exactly what happened but potentially it was a fall."

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A post-mortem CT scan revealed that Mr Murray had suffered a small subarachnoid haemorrhage, a type of stroke caused by bleeding on the surface of the brain.

He also had a fractured eye socket, while toxicology tests found he was intoxicated at the time of his death and there was evidence of recent cocaine use.

Neurosurgeon Naufel Ansar concluded that the haemorrhage wasn't definitely the cause of death but it was a possibility.

Assistant coroner Sian Jones returned a conclusion of accidental death and said: "I am satisfied he had been drinking and had taken some cocaine but neither of those were likely to be the direct cause of his death.

"However, the alcohol did affect his mobility and stability and it's likely to have caused or contributed to his fall because it would have increased the risk of him having a fall. I am satisfied that what he suffered was a simple accident."

After the inquest, Mr Murray's sister Vanessa said: "He was loved by so many people. In Blackburn everyone knew him and I was known as Alex's sister even though I'm older."

She has set up a GoFundMe page to cover funeral expenses which has raised more than £7,000.

His mother said: "He was over the moon about his new job. He'd found out earlier in the week and I can still see his face after he got the news; he was buzzing all week."

Mr Murray's friends paid tribute on Facebook.

Chris McKenzie posted: "A true gent that I am so thankful to have known. Missed by many but I'm sure I can speak for everyone in saying he will never be forgotten."