The Weird News Around the World

The Weird News From Around the World : Man found dead standing straight up in kitchen?

Andrew Evans was discovered by a friend, who visited him at his home in East Grinstead, West Sussex, on May 10 this year.
 

Horsham Coroner's Court heard how the 35-year-old had injured his head earlier in the day, but is not believed to have realised how serious the injury was.

The court heard how Mr Evans had consumed a lot of alcohol on the day and was four times over the drink drive limit.

It is believed he died after blacking out as he reached into a cupboard in his kitchen, with his body falling against the kitchen fittings and remaining standing up.

The court heard how a friend of Mr Evans, who was not named, arrived at this home on May 10 to see him "standing in the kitchen" with his right hand reaching into a cupboard.

The friend started calling out to him, but after receiving no response let himself in and realised that Mr Evans was dead.

The court heard how Mr Evans had a "serious injury" to his head, which had caused him to bleed heavily, but that he might not have realized how serious the injury was "because of his intoxicated state".

Coroner Dr David Skipp said at the inquest last week that the death was "strange", but that Mr Evans died from asphyxiation of the lungs.

He said: "It is unusual for a man whose alcohol levels were high to be found stood against a work surface.

"He obviously did not try to get out of the flat after banging his head and the evidence suggests he was not bothered by what was going on. It is bizarre."
He recorded a verdict of accidental death.