AN epileptic died just a week after refusing to take his medication.

An inquest heard that the day before Terry Hill's death social workers involved with the 21- year-old with learning difficulties had decided that a crisis meeting was needed as soon as possible.

But the following morning he was found dead in his room at the staffed accommodation in Hope Street, Blackburn.

His father Kevin Hill, of Cranbrook Avenue, Oswaldtwistle, said Terry had suffered from epilepsy since he was 13 or 14 years old but as long as he was taking his medication it was under control. His son had moved into Hope Street, which was described as a mid-way house, in May 2001.

Mrs Jane Liversedge, a support worker at Hope Street, said she was responsible for handing out medication and gave Terry his for depression, epilepsy and deep vein thrombosis. A little over a week before his death he refused to take his medication and all the agencies involved in his care, including his doctor had been informed.

Terry was seen at 11pm on June 19 but the following morning his room was locked and there was no answer. Mrs Liversedge found him lying on the floor.

Pathologist Dr William Lawler said it was well recognised that epilepsy could cause sudden death. Recording a verdict of natural causes coroner Michael Singleton said epileptics were known at times to suffer irregular heart beat to the extent that the heart could actually stop. He said no one could have forced Terry to take his medication.