A PARAMEDIC was found dead at a caravan park, an inquest has heard.

Christopher Bretton, who was 47, was found unresponsive at Deer’s Glade caravan and camping park in Norfolk in September.

Area coroner for Essex, Michelle Brown, told the court at an inquest hearing on Thursday that Mr Bretton had sent his wife a WhatsApp message at 10.54pm on September 26, the night before he was reported missing.

The court heard how police attended Deer’s Glade camping park on September 27 and found Mr Bretton in a cabin, where a cold barbeque was found and high levels of carbon monoxide were registered by emergency equipment.

Fire services then entered the cabin, where they found Mr Bretton lying on his back.

Following a post-mortem examination in October, a cause of death was given as carbon monoxide poisoning.

Thursday’s inquest hearing went into greater detail about the circumstances of Mr Bretton’s death.

Ms Brown said: “We have got a toxicology report which was done with different things in respect of the method [of suicide].

“There was quite a high alcohol reading and the report says there was a presence of ethanol; that presence is usually a good indicator of alcohol consumption.”

Samples showed a concentration of 183mcgs of alcohol per 100mls of blood, the legal limit is 80mcgs of alcohol per 100mls.

Ms Brown continued: “The deceased consumed ethanol prior to death and there was paracetamol involved.

"His wife had received a text message at 10.54pm on September 26 via WhatsApp and he had previously been to the holiday park.

“The wife got the text message, which is why he was located.”

Concluding the inquest, Ms Brown said: “I will conclude that Christopher Breton from Harwich died on September 27, 2023 at Deer’s Glade due to carbon monoxide poisoning from a disposable barbeque with his intention set out in various notes in the property.

“My conclusion is therefore one of suicide.”