by staff reporter

Last updated at 12:23, Friday, 30 November 2012

A Whitehaven family have suffered a double tragedy as a father and son died within seven months.

An inquest was held yesterday into the death of Neil Musson, 48, who died at his home in a flat above the Wellington Pub, in Whitehaven’s Market Place, on March 20. His son, Lee Groggins, was found hanged at the flat last September.

Coroner David Roberts recorded a verdict of misadventure on Mr Musson’s death.

A post-mortem report stated he had high levels of fentanyl in his system, a prescribed painkiller, along with ‘therapeutic’ levels of diazepam. A toxicology report stated Mr Musson died of fentanyl intoxication.

GP Thomas Ickes, of the Catherine Street surgery, treated Mr Musson for chronic back pain and he was getting help from a drugs dependance worker.

Norma Musson said her son Neil stayed at the flat above the pub,following her grandson’s death.

The inquest, held in Workington, heard that police were called to the flat on the morning of March 20 following reports of a sudden death. Mrs Musson identified her son who had died in the living room.

She said: “I knew he suffered from back problems and he was taking strong prescribed painkillers.”

She said her son was distraught following the loss of his son Lee.

Mr Roberts said: “The cause of death is clear – fentanyl intoxication resulted in terminal aspiration.”

First published at 12:22, Friday, 30 November 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk