Inquest hears Middlesbrough dad Liam Woodier died after taking cocktail of pills

Combined effects of tramadol, pregabelin and gabapentin led Liam Woodier to develop aspiration pneumonia

A young father tragically lost his life when he contracted pneumonia after taking the opiate tramadol alongside other pills.

Liam Woodier, 31, was found unconscious when paramedics arrived at a house on Evesham Road in Middlesbrough just after midnight on Sunday March 24, 2013.

An inquest yesterday heard evidence from pathologist Dr David Scoones, from North Tees Hospital, who confirmed Mr Woodier had taken tramadol, as well as pregabalin and gabapentin - drugs that are known to enhance the effects of opiates.

Mr Woodier also had small traces of cocaine and alcohol in his system.

Dr Scoones said the combined effects of the tramadol, pregabelin and gabapentin caused respiratory depression and led Mr Woodier to develop aspiration pneumonia which caused his death.

Paramedics were called to the house at around 12.20am by Mr Woodier’s girlfriend Lisa Charlton.

Her evidence, read out at the inquest, said Mr Woodier had been out with friends on Friday and did not return home that night. Ms Charlton had met up with him on Saltersgill Road at around 4pm on Saturday, and said that it ‘looked like Liam had taken something’.

Mr Woodier returned to the house around 10.20pm on Saturday, and the couple, who had been together for around three months, ordered a takeaway. Ms Charlton said Mr Woodier had seemed ‘better, just a bit drunk’.

Shortly after, Mr Woodier fell asleep on the sofa and began to toss and turn and gasp for breath, said Ms Charlton, and she rang for an ambulance.

The inquest heard Mr Woodier had been suffering from depression, anxiety and low mood after his release from prison in 2012. He also had a heroin dependancy.

He had been prescribed anti-depressants and other medication to help him sleep. He had overdosed on drugs during that year.

Coroner Mrs Bailey asked Mr Woodier’s father, John William Woodier, if he believed Liam could have taken his own life.

He replied: “No. I am 100% sure he would not.”

Recording a verdict of death by misadventure, Mrs Bailey said: “While Liam did intend to take the drugs, he did not intend for the tragic circumstances that followed.”