A MAN who was more than six times over the drink-drive limit died two months after he collapsed in the rear of a police van, an inquest heard.

Patrick Lowther, of Cornfield Road, Stockton, was arrested near Selby, North Yorkshire, on suspicion of drink-driving when he was found asleep in a Vauxhall Astra van by officers in November 2002.

He was put in a police van, where he collapsed and slipped into unconsciousness, Tees-side Coroner's Court heard.

He never regained consciousness and died in the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on January 10, 2003.

When the 33-year-old alcoholic was initially treated, he had 513mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood, there was also traces of cannabis and diazepam in his body when he was taken to York District Hospital. A fortnight later, he was transferred to his home town hospital.

Pathologist Nigel Cooper said the cause of death was bronchial pneumonia.

He said: "This had occurred as a result of severe brain damage after the brain was deprived of oxygen. It seems likely he collapsed due to alcohol intoxication."

Although he died in hospital, he was technically still in police custody, and North Yorkshire Police referred the matter to the then-Police Complaints Authority.

Barrister Caroline Goodwin, representing Mr Lowther's family, told the hearing it was common knowledge that he drank excessively, but questioned whether an alcoholic would be affected by the amount of alcohol in his system. She said: "Prior to getting into the police van, he was capable of providing a breath test. Is that something that a severely drunken man could do?"

The inquest continues.