A BUILDER died from a drink and drug overdose after celebrating his 32nd birthday, an inquest heard.

Mark Hemmings had been drinking with friends in The Masters pub in Downley until 3am on November 27, the Amersham inquest heard.

He was found dead a few hours later by his mother Christine at his bedroom window sill, holding what appeared to be a joint. Analysis showed it contained heroin.

A post mortem showed traces of substances associated with taking cocaine and heroin were in the bloodstream of the Plomer Hill Avenue resident. There was also 177mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood in his system.

Pathologist Dr Michael Turner, who carried out the post mortem, told the inquest the levels of drugs found were “higher than expected following recreational use”.

He noted a heart abnormality Mr Hemmings suffered from would have contributed to his death.

Coroner Richard Hulett said Mr Hemmings may have had “no experience” of taking the drugs.

But he said: “The three things [alcohol, heroin and cocaine] coming together is exceptionally dangerous. It leads people to stop breathing and fade out.”

Mr Hulett recorded a verdict of accidental death after ruling Mr Hemmings “did not expect or want” to die from taking the drugs and alcohol.