A MAN who collapsed at home had traces of cocaine in his body, an inquest heard.

But in recording a narrative conclusion John Gittins, senior coroner for North Wales East and Central, said the drug was merely a contributory factor in Carl Lane’s death and so it could not be classed as a drug-related death.

Mr Lane, 29, died at St David’s Hospital, Llandudno, on May 12,2023, 11 days after being found collapsed in the bathroom of his home in Church Street, Tremadog.

His father Martin told yesterday's (July 24) hearing in Ruthin that he heard him shouting: “Dad...help me. I can’t breathe”.

He found him clutching his chest and his lips were purple.

Members of his family and friends carried out CPR until paramedics arrived and he was then flown to Glan Clwyd Hospital where he was put in an induced coma.

He died two days after being transferred to the hospice, and a post-mortem examination revealed that he died of a hypoxic brain injury – a lack of oxygen to the brain – which was the result of a heart attack.

Consultant pathologist Dr Mark Atkinson said he had been unaware at the time of the examination that cocaine had been found to be present in his system and it was possible that had played a part.

Dr Thomas Beech, consultant in intensive care, said toxicology samples taken on his admission to hospital showed the presence of cocaine for which there was antidote, but no further samples were taken after his death because of the time which had elapsed.

The inquest heard that Mr Lane had spent time in prison but on his release had obtained a labouring job and was engaging with the probation service.

His friend Sam Jones told police that Mr Lane, who went to the gym regularly before work, had told him he was keeping away from drugs.

“He was aiming to be a better version of himself and did a brilliant job of it,” said Mr Jones.

In his narrative conclusion the Coroner said: “Mr Lane collapsed at his home on 1st of May at a time when he was positive for the use of cocaine, resulting in a cardiac arrest and suffering a hypoxic brain injury which led to his death.”