Man died in Eastbourne hospital

Liam Wood, from The Hydneye, died in hospital on April 11 this year.

An inquest at Eastbourne Town Hall on Thursday (November 5), heard Mr Wood, a scaffolder, had a history of drug and alcohol dependency and had attempted to take his own life on January 23 this year.

Mr Wood had engaged with STAR - the drug and alcohol service. At first he had undergone an opiate detox programme, but following this completion within the eight month goal, he become dependent on alcohol, the inquest heard.

Niko Jones, from STAR, said, “He was challenging to engage but this improved. He became focussed and was supported by his partner.”

Mr Wood had planned to begin an alcohol detox programme on January 27 this year, but upon attempting to take his own life a few days before, he never began treatment.

Mr Wood was admitted to the DGH March 19 and treated for aspiration pneumonia and respiratory depression, the inquest heard.

He began to deteriorate, and palliative care was introduced on April 9 before he passed away two days later.

The inquest heard his death was due to aspiration pneumonia, which was caused by a hypoxic brain injury that had been a result of attempting to take his own life months earlier.

East Sussex coroner Alan Craze ruled that Mr Wood’s death was due to attempting to take his own life.