Cries for help from a man who died after getting stuck in a storm drain were ignored by neighbours because they thought it was simply drunken antics, an inquest heard today.
Mark Wells had been out celebrating the night before his birthday and dropped his keys down the drain in Ash Road, Newport, Isle of Wight, becoming stuck as he tried to retrieve them.
The aircraft fitter was discovered the next morning, the day of his 32nd birthday, by a dog walker, and firefighters helped free his body, the inquest at Newport heard.
He had suffocated in about 1ft of mud and slime and was found head-first with his leg sticking out of the drain, the inquest heard.
The hearing was told that Mr Wells shouted ''please help me'' but nearby residents failed to go to his assistance because they dismissed the cries as a drunken prank.
Coroner John Matthews recorded a verdict of accidental death and said he did not blame residents for ignoring the cries for help.
He said: ''It was a sad reflection on society that people were too scared to venture out of their homes when they heard screams.''
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