A HAMPSHIRE man died after an accidental overdose of a painkiller while suffering from headaches and pneumonia, an inquest heard.

Daniel Ryan was found dead at a shared flat in West End Road in Bitterne, Southampton.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard how the 54-year-old suffered from bipolar disorder and was on a variety of medications to control the condition, Mr Ryan also suffered from chronic back pain and was taking a prescribed painkiller.

A post-mortem by Dr Adrian Bateman revealed he had potentially fatal levels of the painkiller in his body, along with other medications.

The inquest heard Mr Ryan had complained to his GP Dr Martin Hughes a day before his death of headaches and other coughing. However he was refused hospital treatment.

The coughing was later revealed to be the early stages of pneumonia, but it is not known what caused the headaches.

Dr Bateman said the cause of death was overdose and pneumonia and heart disease.

Mr Ryan’s ex partner Michelle Lucas, who he was with from 1999 to 2009, described him as a “fantastic dad”.

Coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of a drug related death.