A WOMAN desperately fought to save her boyfriend’s life the day before they were due to buy engagement rings.

Lisa Davis battled in vain to save Leigh Baigent who had collapsed after taking too many painkillers, an inquest heard.

Mr Baigent, 33, was found unresponsive by his partner at their home in Baddesley Road, Chandler’s Ford.

On the evening before his death, Ms Davis said the couple had discussed marriage and were due to buy rings the following day.

She told Winchester Coroner’s Court Mr Baigent was suffering from foot pain and was taking prescribed codeine painkillers to cope. He was anxious and restless and did not have his usual appetite.

He eventually slept on the sofa and Ms Davis found him unresponsive in the early hours of December 16.

Ms Davis said: “The alarm went off and I said: ‘Babe, why did you not put the cover on yourself? You are cold, what are you doing not putting the cover on?’ He was not responding and I called the ambulance and they told me to put him on his back but I couldn’t move him.”

Ms Davis tried to do CPR to resuscitate him and ambulance crews quickly arrived but despite their best efforts they were unable to revive him.

The inquest heard Mr Baigent had an enlarged heart and there was a level of codeine in the blood associated with death.

There were also therapeutic levels of an anti-depressant and paracetamol.

Toxicology results also revealed he had drunk 1.5 times the drink-drive limit. Pathologist Balvinder Shoker concluded the cause of death was codeine and alcohol toxicity. Dr Shoker said there were also other health issues that could have contributed to the death, like asthma and Mr Baigent being overweight.

When asked about the painkillers, Ms Davis said: “He was in a lot of pain with his foot.

“I know it was annoying him and he wanted to just get on with his work and not worry about his foot all the time.”

Assistant coroner Sarah Whitby recorded a conclusion of an alcohol and drug related death.