A man found dead in a stream in Newton Aycliffe had suffered an epileptic fit shortly before his death, an inquest has heard.
Robert Rendall Harcus, who had a history of epilepsy, was found lying face down in a stream, known locally as the burn, near a boating lake in West Park (pictured).
As reported in the Northern Echo, the 52-year-old, of Kirkstone Place, who’d last been seen two days earlier, was discovered by a female passer-by at around 8.20am on Saturday, December 10.
A post-mortem examination revealed a bite mark on his tongue common to fitting and a high level of alcohol in his blood, the inquest at Chester-le-Street Magistrates’ Court was told on Tuesday.
Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle said Mr Harcus probably had a fit and collapsed into the stream.
He recorded a verdict of death by natural causes.