A MAN with a history of drug abuse who had been prescribed methadone was found dead after taking too much heroin.

William Kelly, 42, was found in his flat in Union House in St Peter Street, Blackburn at around 10pm on January 19, after last being seen alive just 24 hours earlier.

Paramedics were called but pronounced him dead at the scene.

At an inquest at Preston Coroner’s Court, Coroner James Newman said following a post mortem examination and toxicology, a medical cause of death was offered as aspiration pneumonia due to combined drug toxicity.

Mr Newman told the inquest: “William had a history of anxiety and substance dependency and was on a methadone programme.

“He was last seen alive at 10.30pm on January 18.

“The following day, when residents at Union House said they hadn’t seen him, a supervisor entered his room and found him unresponsive on his bed.

“The police and paramedics were called but he was unrecoverable.”

A post-mortem examination suggested Mr Kelly had been sick before he was found as vomit was discovered in his airways.

Mr Newman said drug use could have contributed to aspiration, causing difficulty to his breathing.

He said: “A toxicology report found morphine at a level that was higher than someone who would use heroin on a regular basis - it was at a fatal level.

“Methadone was also discovered in his system as well as benzodiazepines, but these were in the range expected when used in therapy.

“The problem with medications like this is that they can all affect how the brain controls breathing and heart rate.

“The likely event is the three drugs have affected his respiratory function - he has then lost consciousness and vomited while unconscious.”

A report from Claire Arkwright at Change Grow Live, a drug service in Blackburn, said Mr Kelly had been prescribed methadone and was offered support and advice for heroin addiction, but sometimes neglected to engage with the services.

Mr Newman added: “William succumbed unintentionally to the combined effects of medication. There was no evidence he took his own life so I record a drug-related death conclusion.”

Mr Kelly’s brother, Mark Kelly, who was at the inquest, said he was a good brother and he would cherish memories of him.