AN inquest into the death of a man whose body was found near the railway bridge in Wylam has recorded a narrative conclusion.

Richard Jacques (37), who was born in Dunston, Gateshead, was found dead on September 30 after an overdose of prescription drugs caused him to suffer a respiratory failure.

The inquest on Thursday heard that Mr Jacques, who was described as a “kind and caring person,” had cycled to Wylam on September 26 and had last contacted his mother the following day.

A local resident was walking his dog near the railway bridge at Hagg Bank on the morning of September 29 when he came across Mr Jacques in a tent.

Coroner Eric Armstrong explained that Mr Jacques had complained of having a headache when speaking to the walker but didn’t require any assistance.

However, when another member of the public approached the tent at 10.25am the following day, Mr Jacques was unresponsive and lying on his back.

Police attended and found empty bottles of methadone alongside other types of medication at the scene.

The inquest heard that Mr Jacques suffered from significant mental health problems including PTSD and depression.

A post-mortem found an acute respiratory failure was caused by the combined effects of methadone, codeine and diazepam.

Recording a narrative conclusion, Mr Armstrong said there was no evidence to suggest anyone assisted in the death.

“I cannot draw any conclusions to what his intentions were whilst taking the prescribed drugs,” he said. “The evidence available is not conclusive, therefore I can’t make a guess to the conclusion of his death.”