A former Essex University student died from the cold in a flooded field after drinking heavily, an inquest heard yesterday (Wednesday).

Robert Lewis, known as Matt, came to Colchester in 1998 to read English and American studies at the university. He had dropped out of the course and was staying at Forest Road House, Forest Road, Greenstead.

An inquest at Colchester Town Hall heard Mr Lewis, 30, was reported missing by friends on March 6.

His body was found on Sunday, March 11, by Kenneth Dowde and his wife.

Mr Dowde, a maintenance electrician at the university, said he and his wife were walking along a footpath from Colchester to Wivenhoe, near Salary Brook Farm, with their dog.

"We were scanning the middle of the field and I saw what I thought to be someone lying down about 30 yards off the track into the field," he said.

Det Sgt Mark Merry, of Colchester CID, said an inquiry was launched but found no suspicious circumstances.

He said Mr Lewis was seen at the Old Heath Road sub-post office on March 4 and appeared to be in high spirits.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Lewis died from hypothermia - extreme cold - and had 222mg of alcohol in 100ml of blood - a "high degree of intoxication".

In recording a verdict of accidental death, Essex coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: "It was a tragic accident."

By Stephen Rawlins

Reporter's e-mail: stephen_rawlins@thisisessex.co.uk

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