A BELOVED father-of-nine who once saved a man from a flat fire was found dead in a caravan, and inquest heard.

Harry Weir was found by his mother in a caravan in the front garden of her home in Weston, Southampton.

As previously reported in the Echo, Mr Weir saved the life of his neighbour Christopher Moore when he was 22, pulling Mr Moore to safety after a flat fire at Canberra Towers, Weston.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard that when he died, the 41-year-old had been staying with his parents in Hawkley Green after falling out with his partner.

His mother, Susan Weir, said that she had gone to spread spare seed over her garden after feeding her pet birds, when she noticed that the door to the caravan that Mr Weir would often stay in was open.

“I just went to close the door when I saw Harry’s feet on the floor.

“I called out to him but he didn’t wake up.

“When I went over to touch him he was cold and I knew he was dead.”

Mrs Weir then called the emergency service and police arrived at the scene and confirmed the death.

A recovering drug addict, his family said that his drug problems were the result of a toxic relationship, and that he would often relapse during times of stress.

Mr Weir had spent the evening with his friend Jade Shotter who said that she had seen Mr Weir take the legal high Spice throughout the evening.

“When I left Harry in the morning he was pale and sweaty, but he assured me he was ok.”

A toxicology report found that Mr Weir had a cocktail of drugs in his system that although not fatal by themselves, together could lead to an overdose.

Assistant coroner Samantha Marsh concluded that Mr Weir’s death was drug related.

Following the inquest his family said in a statement: “Harry was the kind of person who would help anyone.”

“He was a brilliant bloke and a very hard worker that loved all of his kids.

“Over a hundred people turned up for his funeral and the place was packed. The priest was overwhelmed by how many people had come out to see him off.”