A MAN twice refused the offer of an ambulance, unaware he had fatal head injuries.

Unemployed bus driver George Driscoll twice rejected the offer of an ambulance after he was found lying in a street with a fractured skull.

An inquest in Middlesbrough heard that the 61-year-old, who died hours after being discovered in the street, had consumed a "significant'' amount of alcohol, at the time he received his injury, which was consistent with a fall.

Post mortem tests revealed he had 192 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood - equivalent to three to four times over the drink driving limit.

Gary Batchelor was with his wife and children driving along Sunningdale Road, Saltersgill, Middlesbrough, when they saw Mr Driscoll, who they did not know, lying on the pavement.

He picked up Mr Driscoll, saw he had a cut to the back of his head and asked him if he should call an ambulance.

Mr Driscoll said not, but accepted a lift in the Batchelors car back to his home in Abberston Walk, where Mr Batchelor unlocked the front door for him and again offered to call an ambulance. Again the offer was declined.

Three days later, neighbourhood community workers went into the bungalow following concerned calls from neighbours who had not seen Mr Driscoll for some time. He was discovered dead on the floor of the lounge.

Pathologist Dr David Scoones said the cause of death was the head injury.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Teesside Coroner Mr Michael Sheffield said in refusing to have an ambulance called to take him to hospital, Mr Driscoll "would not have known what the ultimate outcome would be" following his fall.

He also said the amount Mr Driscoll had to drink would have contributed to the fall.