A VERDICT of accidental death has been recorded on an Orpington College student who died probably from a fall, after a birthday celebration in London.

Douglas Kirk, 18, of Clarence Crescent, Sidcup, disappeared on February 16 and his body was found three weeks later in a Pall Mall yard by an estates manager.

One of Douglas' friends Anthony Notter of Bexley, told Westminster Coroner's Court he and Douglas, who was studying IT, business and economics, had gone with a group to London to celebrate a friend's 21st birthday.

They started drinking at the Slug and Lettuce in St Martin's Lane, and then moved onto the nearby Denim Bar.

Mark Antopolski, a doorman at the Denim Bar, spotted Douglas was drunk and asked him to leave soon after midnight.

He said: "There was no trouble. I remember he asked if he could say goodbye to his mates but I refused. He stood outside the door for several minutes and I didn't see him again."

Douglas lived with his father Jack and eldest brother Gordon. When he failed to return home, his family called the police.

Pathologist Dr Robert Chapman said Douglas's skull had been fractured and it was "consistent with a heavy fall backwards." He was found to have alcohol in his blood but no drugs.

Security cameras showed an unsteady Douglas climbing the fire escape onto a roof near where his body was found.

Coroner Dr Paul Knapman said it was likely Douglas had been looking for a warm place to sleep.

The family did not attend the hearing.

April 29, 2003 10:00