Man, 74, died after days trapped with head stuck down drain

An inquest revealed bizarre details of the death of 74-year-old William Edward Lea.

The hearing was told how his body was found sticking out of a manhole in a conservatory at his bungalow in the pretty village of Cartmel, Cumbria, a few miles south of the Lake District.

Cartmel village in Cumbria, where Mr Lea died at his home

He was found head first down the manhole on April 18 at his home, on the main road leading into the picture-postcard village, where properties regularly change hands at over £400,000.

A pathologist's report said that Mr Lea had been stuck in the drain for several days by the time he died.

At the inquest in Kendal, Cumbria, PC Belinda Friend said that she was called to the bungalow in Haggs Lane along with paramedics and a fire-and-rescue crew.

She said there was no evidence to suggest that any foul play had taken place.

'The house seemed very tidy and it appeared to be just a tragic accident,' she said.

The officer said she had found letters in the house relating to recent work which had been carried out on the house drains.

They revealed that Mr Lea had been told by contractors that further examination of the drains was needed, possibly using a CCTV camera.

It was possible that Mr Lea became trapped as he tried to examine the drains for himself.

Mr Lea was found dead at his home on April 18 this year.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Ian Smith said the cause was asphyxia.

He added that Mr Lea had either become trapped whilst examining the drain or had tripped and fallen into it while the cover was off.