A GRANDMOTHER, described by friends as a 'loving family woman' died after drinking a fatal amount of alcohol, an inquest hearing has heard.

Helen Yvonne Lewis, aged 54, died at her home on the Upton Heath Estate, Upton, Poole, on September 20, last year, after consuming at least a bottle of vodka.

Toxicology tests showed the married cleaner had consumed almost five times the legal drink drive limit, in excess of what is generally considered a fatal amount.

On Wednesday, February 17, at Dorset Coroner's Court, Bournemouth Town Hall, an inquest was held.

Coroner Brendan Allen read statements from witnesses including family members, police and medical professionals.

The hearing heard how Mrs Lewis, who suffered with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and emotionally unstable personality disorder (EUPD) had spent the evening of September 19 drinking with friends locally.

Around midnight she passed out at the foot of the stairs at her home, and despite initial attempts by family members to move her, they elected to let her remain where she was and sleep it off – as she had done before.

However, on this occasion Mrs Lewis did not recover.

She was found unresponsive around 6am by her husband, Wayne.

Emergency services were called and she was pronounced dead at the scene.

The court heard how Mrs Lewis, who worked as a cleaner at Sandford Caravan Park, had started drinking more heavily since the death of her mother from cancer in 2016.

A post mortem examination confirmed an alcohol reading of 350 milligrams of alcohol per 100 millilitres of blood – the legal drink drive limit is 80 millilitres per 100 millilitres.

Mr Allen, recording a conclusion of alcohol-related death, said: "She (Mrs Lewis) had been consuming an excessive amount on a reasonably regular basis, which is borne out by the post-mortem findings.

"I'm satisfied that Mrs Lewis voluntarily drank to excess on the evening of September 19, and that she then fell to sleep at the bottom of the stairs at approximately midnight."

Attempts had been made to remove her from that location, said Mr Allen, but given the level of intoxication and the fact Mrs Lewis had recovered from this previously, the decision was made to leave her to sleep it off.

"Tragically, this did not occur on this occasion," Mr Allen said. "Mrs Lewis had drunk too much and she did not recover."