Carer left man later found dead

A North Yorkshire man who was left by his carer lying face down on the floor was found dead in the same spot eight hours later, an inquest has heard.

The death of 65-year-old Terrance Hunter, of Beal, near Selby, last September raised "human rights issues", coroner Geoff Fell said.

Mr Hunter had been receiving home care from Care Team Yorkshire Ltd.

The inquest heard that on the first day in her job, his new carer had found him lying on the floor, apparently drunk.

She left the house in the morning of 6 September without touching Mr Hunter, but in the belief that he was still breathing.

Broken marriages

When she returned that evening she found Mr Hunter in the same position, but not breathing, and called an ambulance. He was pronounced dead by paramedics.

A post-mortem examination failed to determine an exact cause of death but found it was likely to be as a result of years of heavy drinking.

A statement from Mr Hunter's daughter Emma said her father's drinking had led to the breakdown of two marriages and, although he did not have much contact with his family, they would miss him.

Mr Fell said he would examine closely the circumstances surrounding Mr Hunter's death because he felt it raised human rights issues.

He also told the inquest a police investigation, which led to one person being arrested and later released without charge, was now closed.

The inquest at Harrogate Magistrates' Court continues.