A TAXI driver from Eynsford was discovered dead after falling asleep in a bath, an inquest has heard.

Alexander Hall, 55, was discovered by his daughter Carly in his Riverside home on October 20 after he failed to return her calls.

The inquest at Gravesend Old Town Hall on December 4 heard how the keen marathon runner had attended Ascot Race Course with his friend Peter Monk the previous day.

Detective Sergeant Richard Pringle said: “On the way back he got a lift back with his daughter-in-law Kayley at around 10.45pm and she said ‘he was drunk but not so drunk he could not get home’.

“The next day his daughter Carly was concerned because she could not get in contact with him.

“At around 6.30pm on October 20 she entered his house with her children and heard the extractor fan on. She found the deceased in the bath with his face completely submerged in water and his body was cold.

“It was concluded he had had fallen asleep in the bath.”

Coroner Roger Hatch told the inquest: “The alcohol level in his blood was not high enough to render him unconscious but the effects are known to be variable.

“The cause of death was given as accidental drowning as a consequence of alcohol intoxication.”

Coroner Hatch recorded a verdict of accidental death.