Published: October 27, 2007
Coroner gives open verdict in death of Burnham-On-Sea man

An inquest into the death of a Burnham-On-Sea man whose body was found at his home in the town has ended with an open verdict this week.

Coroner Michael Rose told a hearing in Bridgwater on Tuesday (October 23rd) he was unable to ascertain the medical cause for Steven Cox's death.

Burnham-On-Sea police officer Sergeant Steve Lawrence told the court how he'd found the 37 year old lying on his back on October 4th last year, fully clothed on his bed at his home in Sutherland Avenue.

The court was told the man had been found with Ibuprofen on one side and a bottle of Gaviscon on the other. The inquest also heard that Mr Cox was a keen biker and had cycled all his life, but had crashed in a car park at a Burnham supermarket. Since the accident, he had been suffering from chest pains caused by the fall from his bike.

Mr Rose said he was unable to state a cause for Mr Cox's death, adding: "There is a possibility that he may have taken too many painkillers, but on the other hand it could have been quite natural causes."