A MAN died after becoming trapped in thick undergrowth after an early morning drinking session, an inquest has heard.

Aaron Taylorson, 27, of Laithe Street, Burnley, was found in Albion Terrace, off Albion Street, on June 26.

An inquest at Burnley Magistrates' Court heard from Alan McGowan, 52, who had been drinking with Mr Taylorson in the hours before his death.

He told the court he had been walking along Trafalgar Street with his dog after visiting his son.

He said he and Mr Taylorson, who he had never met before, had started chatting and after visiting the petrol station Mr Talyorson had followed him to the nearby railway bridge and produced two, litre bottles of red wine.

They began to drink and talk close to nearby houses.

He said that later the two men had found themselves at the bottom of the embankment and that he was trapped and unable to get to his feet.

Mr McGowan said he had been slipping in and out of consciousness and had found himself on top of Mr Taylorson, who was lying on his back.

In the aftermath of the incident a murder investigation was launched but police later released Mr McGowan without charge.

Witness Michael Young said he saw two men talking loudly and drinking alcohol on his garden step at Albion Terrace at about 6.45am that morning.

He asked them to move but he then saw the men again at 8.15am.

He said: “About an hour later I went outside and saw a pair of training shoes pointing the air at the bottom of the steep embankment. I thought there was just one person there and immediately called the police.”

Forensic pathologist, Naomi Carter, concluded Mr Taylorson had suffered 'postural asphyxiation' which had combined with acute alcohol intoxication.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Richard Taylor said Mr Taylorson died from a combination of accidental asphyxiation and alcohol after ‘probably stumbling down the embankment.'