AN alcoholic who was run over after falling down in a road was dying of sclerosis of the liver.

Retired college lecturer George Middlemiss had reached the "end stage'' of the disease, medical evidence revealed at an inquest yesterday.

Deputy Teesside Coroner Gordon Hetherington was told that Mr Middlemiss walked with the aid of a crutch while he was on beta-blockers, which might have left him feeling dizzy.

Private hire driver George Williams said the 59-year-old was a regular customer.

In November last year, Mr Middlemiss had been picked up from the Conservative Club in Linthorpe, Middlesbrough.

Mr Williams dropped him off outside his home in Devonshire Road, Middlesbrough. Mr Middlemiss, who was sitting in the front passenger seat of the taxi, got out on to the road. He had twice the legal limit allowed for a car driver.

Avril Stoddart, who was walking home after a night out, saw Mr Middlemiss standing at the side of the taxi one moment, only to "disappear'' from view, the next.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Hetherington, said he was satisfied Mr Middlemiss had fallen down when he was run over by motorist Keith Russell.

An architect by profession, Mr Middlemiss, who had taught at the former Teesside Polytechnic, now the University of Teesside, died of multiple injuries.