A SALISBURY labourer was found dead in his friend’s flat after accidentally taking a fatal mix of prescription drugs, just over a week after celebrating his birthday.

Guy Acton was discovered by pals on November 13 last year, after the trio had watched films together the night before.

Salisbury Coroners’ Court heard that one friend staying at the Mill Stream Approach address, Oliver Piper, had tried to apply CPR to the 51 year old, but told police officers “I knew he was already dead”.

Ambulance crews then arrived and confirmed Mr Acton, of Stockbarrow, Amesbury, had died.

Mr Piper’s statement, which was read by assistant coroner Ian Singleton, said: “We went back to [a friend’s] house to have a beer and watch a film [on November 12].

“I did see Guy take quite a few tablets throughout the evening.”

Mr Piper then confirmed Mr Acton went to sleep on the sofa, before he or his friend.

He added: “When I woke up, [my friend] said Guy doesn’t look right.

“I remember immediately thinking he was dead by the way he looked. I phoned 999 and they told me to give him CPR.

“I thought he was already dead, but knew I had to try something.”

PC Louise Poole, who was the first officer on the scene, confirmed that she had found a number of empty and partially-empty tablet packets on Mr Acton. She added that officers from CID agreed that there was nothing suspicious about the death.

A toxicology report also found that Mr Acton had cocaine in his system, which his post mortem determined that, when mixed with the other medication, had created a fatal mix.

A conclusion of accidental death was recorded.