A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded in the case of a Petts Wood student who died after a university drinking game went wrong.

Timothy Jarvis, aged 18, of Crofton Lane, plunged down a staircase after consuming a whole bottle of rum in 15 minutes for a bet soon after starting at Essex University last year.

The teenager, who previously attended St Olave’s Grammar School in Orpington, was taken to Colchester General Hospital on October 13 and died the next day after being transferred to a leading Essex neurological centre.

His university flatmate, Dimitris Vachaviolos, also 18 at the time, told the inquest at Walthamstow Coroner’s Court: “My mate had a stopwatch because Tim had a bet with us that he could drink a bottle of rum in 30 minutes.

“He did it in 15 minutes actually.”

Mr Vachaviolos told the court Timothy chased him down the corridor of the flat towards his room.

Mr Vachaviolos added: “My room was at the end of the corridor.

“But he did not follow me in there. I heard the stairwell door open.

“I heard a tumble and a fall and he was lying at the bottom of the stairs.”

A brain scan in hospital showed Timothy had suffered head injuries including a fractured skull and compressed parts of the brain.

Walthamstow Coroner Chinyere Inyama recorded a verdict of accidental death.