A British tourist was ‘profoundly’ drunk when he plunged to his death from his hotel balcony in Turkey, an inquest heard today.
Crane operator Antony Maxwell, 21, was nearly three times the drink driving limit when he fell from the fifth floor after going out for a cigarette at the Kahya Aqua Resort and Spa in Antalya Turkey.
Essex Coroner’s Court in Chelmsford was told how he suffered a severe head injury and was declared dead in hospital in the early hours of April 18 last year.
Mr Maxwell was at the five star hotel with about 13 members of his girlfriend’s family and friends, who were celebrating a child’s birthday.
The inquest heard how his girlfriend was arrested by Turkish police but released later that day after any third-party involvement was ruled out.
Mr Maxwell’s grandmother Lynn Mann suggested that he might have fallen while leaning over to try and get the attention of his friend staying in the room below.
Ms Mann told the inquest how her grandson and his girlfriend had just arrived at the hotel after ‘a long day travelling’ and he had worked lengthy hours the day before.
She said he had earlier sent her a picture before he boarded a plane at London Stansted Airport, with a message, saying: ‘We’re on our way’.
Antony Maxwell (pictured) was found to be nearly three times the drink driving limit when he fell from the fifth floor at the Kahya Aqua Resort and Spa in Antalya Turkey
The crane operator (pictured) suffered a severe head injury and was declared dead in hospital in the early hours of April 18 last year
Mr Maxwell (pictured) was at the five star hotel with about 13 members of his girlfriend’s family and friends, who were celebrating a child’s birthday
Ms Mann added: ‘The next message to us was early hours in the morning. For all we knew he was on holiday enjoying himself.’
She said the family would have to make peace with the fact they would never know the exact reason why Mr Maxwell, who lived in Maldon, Essex, came to fall.
Ms Mann said: ‘The fact of the matter is this is just tragic. Whatever happened, happened and it was a fall.’
Essex Area Coroner Michelle Brown recorded a conclusion that Mr Maxwell’s death was accidental after describing him as being ‘profoundly’ intoxicated when he fell.
Tests revealed he had 231mgs of alcohol in 100mls of his blood. The legal limit to drive in the UK is 80mgs.
Ms Brown said: ‘He was with his girlfriend on holiday, and they had just arrived at the hotel.
‘She was unpacking, and he apparently went on to the balcony to have a cigarette and fell five floors.’
Ms Brown said it was impossible to determine the circumstances as to how he fell.
Mr Maxwell was described as ‘an incredible young man’ and a ‘beautiful boy’
She added that the Turkish legal system did not recognise coroner’s proceedings in the UK, making it difficult to obtain documents relating to his death.
Ms Brown added: ‘They don’t recognise the coronial system at all – we are lucky to get whatever documents we have.’
A Gofundme appeal organised last year to raise funds to bring Mr Maxwell’s body home described him as ‘an incredible young man’ and a ‘beautiful boy’.
It added: ‘He loved his fishing and embraced life he was loved by everyone who knew him, and will be deeply missed. His death has shocked the family to the core.’
The tribute continued: ‘Tony was a credit to his family at 21. He was the best big brother to his siblings. He was the friend that made everyone laugh, and the most politest young man I have encountered.’
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