Drama as dying man is found on towpath
Forty-nine-year-old Miles Drew was found on December 12 last year by fisherman Ian Joyce near The Cunning Man pub at Burghfield Bridge.
The hearing in Newbury Town Hall on Wednesday, June 25, was told that the father of two was found by angler Ian Joyce, lying in bushes on his back, apparently deeply unconscious.
Mr Joyce alerted the emergency services but, despite their best efforts, it was not possible to revive Mr Drew, the inquest heard.
His widow, Margriet, said she found a note in the kitchen addressed to the family which stated, in part: “I wanted to be part of your life...sadly that will not be....so, so sorry.”
Post mortem tests revealed Mr Drew, who lived at Greenidge Close, Reading, had consumed so much alcohol that there were 310mg of it per 100ml of blood in his system - nearly four times the legal limit for driving.
The cause of death was due to aspiration of stomach contents, said Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford.
Mrs Drew said she did not believe that her husband had intended to kill himself and Mr Bedford concurred.
He said that, despite the note, he could not be persuaded beyond doubt that Mr Drew had intended to die and therefore recorded a verdict of misadventure.
After the hearing Mrs Drew said: “The loss of Miles has caused indescribable sadness to us, his family...Miles was a dearly loved husband, father, brother, son, uncle, son-in-law and brother-in-law who we miss to this day.
“He was a passionate cook and sportsman...he has taken part in numerous marathons and cycle races to raise funds for charity...we remain thankful for our cherished memories of a life spent with this wonderful man.”