A CHRONIC alcoholic died in the men’s toilet at McDonald’s restaurant in Runcorn hours after repeatedly visiting an accident and emergency department, an inquest at Warrington heard yesterday.

David Murphy, from Ashton in Makerfield, died at the fastfood outlet on East Lane on Friday, April 1.

An empty bottle of vodka and a can of cider were found beside him.

Toxicology tests later revealed that his blood alcohol level was 532 milligrams per 100 millilitres, almost seven times the driving limit.

Dr James Williams, a consultant in the emergency department of Warrington Hospital, told the inquest that Mr Murphy had visited A&E five times in the 24 hours before he died but left each time before medical staff were able to see to him.

The 40-year-old who suffered from liver disease after drinking 20-30 units of alcohol a day had been admitted many times since 2013.

Jim Higgins, an alcohol liaison nurse specialist, spotted him in A&E at 1am on April 1 and reassured him that medical help was available but he became ‘aggressive’ and ‘offensive’ to staff and had to be escorted outside by security guards.

Only two days earlier he had discharged himself from a ward where he was being treated.

The mental health team said Mr Murphy refused all offers of help to tackle his alcoholism and his dad Brian said his efforts to wean him off drink had also failed.

Customer care manager Elaine Higginson was mopping the floor at McDonald's when Mr Murphy walked in at 8am on April 1.

“He said: ‘You’re doing a good job’ and started laughing,” she said.

“He said he was going to the toilet and would then have some breakfast.”

When he failed to come out of the toilet, she raised the alarm.

Staff found him fully clothed in a cubicle, slumped against a locked door.

Paramedic Daniel Ogden said Mr Murphy had no pulse and was not breathing.

Coroner Nicholas Rheinberg said: “David Murphy had a very sad lifestyle that towards the end revolved around alcohol.

“It was particularly disturbing to read the account by Dr Williamson that he went five times to Warrington Hospital in the 24 hours before he died, each time leaving to drink more alcohol.”

The cause of death was alcohol toxicity with liver disease a contributory factor.