Shropshire rugby player, 24, died after tragic bar fall in Thailand , inquest told

Stewart Mark Clive Middleton hit his head on rocks when he fell at a bar in the Ko Pha Ngan area during a night out with friends.

The inquest, which opened at Shirehall in Shrewsbury yesterday, heard the 24-year-old had been staying in a shared bungalow with two friends. Mr Middleton stayed at the bar after his two friends had returned home before falling in the early hours of February 25.

A report read out by coroner's officer Mick Homden said he had died instantly from a traumatic head injury, and Thai police treated the incident as a "tragic accident".

Mr Homden said: "His head hit rocks causing severe injuries to his skull and he died instantly."

Mr Middleton, who lived in Craven Arms and worked for Clun Bars Ltd, is thought to have timed his trip to south east Asia with friends to attend world-famous Full Moon parties which happen each year on the island. The parties always attract thousands of people.

Tributes were paid to Mr Middleton following his death and friends and family were encouraged to celebrate his life at a funeral held earlier this month.

Mr Middleton was a keen rugby player having just started with Tref y Clawdd (Knighton) Rugby Club this season.

Speaking after his death, club spokesman Adrian Morgan said he was a "big player" at No 8, even though he had only started playing for the team recently. He added that he had already scored many times, and he was "a big voice on the pitch and in the changing room".

Shropshire Coroner John Ellery adjourned the inquest to July 14 to take place at Shirehall in Shrewsbury.