Shropshire holidaymaker, 25, died after fall on steps at Thai beach bar

Stewart Middleton, 25, from Craven Arms, had been enjoying a holiday with friends when he died on February 25 this year.

He and two friends, Scott Millichip and Nick Davies, had been drinking and had visited a number of bars along the beach at Koh Pha Ngan in the hours before his death.

His body was discovered in the early hours of the morning on rocks below the Kangaroo Bar. Mr Middleton, who played at number 8 for Tref-y-Clawydd rugby club, died of traumatic head injuries.

Speaking yesterday at an inquest into his death of Mr Middleton, held at Shrewsbury's Shirehall, Mr Davies from Kington, in Powys, said that although they had been drinking, the trio were "not out of it" and that Mr Middleton had not been in trouble with anyone earlier in the night.

He said: "We had been to a Thai boxing match and had then gone to a bar half-way down the beach where we had four or five drinks.

"We were merry but we knew what we were doing. Then I left as I was tired.

"We had never been to the Kangaroo Bar before. I went back to where we were staying and the next morning the police came to see me. I went to the bar where Stewart had been found. There was a balcony to the bar above the rocks. The police said that maybe Stewart had jumped from the balcony but there were no witnesses to that. There was no evidence to say what had happened."

Mr Millichip, from Bishop's Castle, also said that the trio had enjoyed a night out and that he had no idea how Mr Middleton came to die.

Mr John Ellery, coroner for Shropshire and Telford, recorded an open conclusion. He said: "We have been making inquiries with the Thai police, through the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, to try and find out anything further about this. They are still saying that Stewart slipped on the steps and that is the best information I have got. In that case, and unless any further information comes to light, I record an open conclusion."

In a statement, Mr Middleton's family said: "Stewart was a kind, intelligent and happy young man with a heart of gold. During his short life He touched the hearts of many.

"He had the unique gift of making friends, many whilst enjoying the various team sports he enjoyed such as football, golf, darts, cricket and rugby and also fishing for which he had a lifelong passion.

"He loved the outdoors and his years spent in the Army Cadets. Stewart was the backbone and rock of his family, he was a loyal friend, a fantastic brother and an amazing son.

"He is greatly missed by many and none more so than by his immediate family, where his love, sense of humour and wonderful smile will never be forgotten."