Soldier died after drinking binge

The friends were watching a rugby match together

A Fijian soldier who died of alcohol poisoning had drunk enough to put him six times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest has heard.

Pte Naivote Tuisavura, 24, passed out while drinking lager, rum and the legal hallucinogenic kava root extract.

He had been visiting a friend's house at Tidworth barracks to watch rugby.

Recording a verdict of misadventure, the coroner said the incident in September last year involving several Fijian soldiers was "very stupid".

Crates of lager

The inquest at Salisbury was told Pte Tuisavura, described as a good soldier, took part in a two-day drinking binge.

Pte Tuisavura and some comrades from 3rd Battalion The Mercian Regiment had gone to Pte Netava Lagilagi's house near the Tidworth base to watch Fiji's 29-16 win over Canada.

They drank lager, the strong Fijian rum, and what was later found to be the boiled down extract of cava root, which contributed to depressing Pte Tuisavura's nervous system.

Pte Lagilagi told the inquest: "The next thing I remember was being woken the following morning. My wife told me that she had found me in the bathroom and had put me in the spare room.

"At 7am I was woken by another friend who was clearly upset and wanted me to come and look because he thought there was something wrong with Naivote."

His friend was lying on his side on the living room floor by the settee, with his face "grey and purple".

He was certified dead at the scene.

The coroner said to Pte Lagilagi: "I suppose with hindsight you all regret that very stupid incident which led to his death."

Pte Lagilagi said he did.

Speaking after the inquest Capt James Ballard denied there was a problem with drinking at the barracks.

He said: "The army has a duty of care towards all of its soldiers. We encourage everyone to drink responsibly and we enforce that.

"This was a very close-knit regiment. Everyone who knew him (Pte Naivote) said he was a good soldier."