A 22-year-old soldier died from alcohol poisoning while abroad on an exercise, an inquest has concluded.

Gillingham-born Keane Smirthwaite, a Lance Corporal in the army, passed away while working in Tallinn, Estonia, on February 17.

An inquest into his death, held on Tuesday (September 12) at County Hall, Maidstone, heard he was found in his hotel room at the Raddison Collection Hotel after a night of drinking.

In a statement by pathologist Doctor Russell Delaney, the court heard he had been made aware of witness statements from Keane’s colleagues.

Reading evidence, assistant coroner James Dillon said the dad-of-two had been out the evening before (February 16) with his friend where they had drinks and food before heading to a bar.

It was there they “consumed more beer” and had whiskey shots before returning to the hotel, the court heard.

Coroner Dillon read evidence stating Keane could walk by himself but he “seemed drunk” and toxicology reports stated the alcohol levels in his blood and urine were four times the legal driving limit.

His colleague went to check on Keane, whose home address was given as Hampshire, the following morning and knocked on his door and rang his phone but he did not answer, Dr Delaney’s statement continued.

The corporal went and got a master key and let himself into the room where he found Keane on the bed, the court heard.

Dr Delaney said there was evidence he had been sick but there were no external or internal injuries found and due to the position he was lying it would have caused “respiratory obstruction”.

His medical cause of death was given as acute alcohol intoxication in a prone position (positional asphyxia) and coroner Dillon concluded it was an alcohol-related death.

He added: “He had a very high blood alcohol reading. We know he was intoxicated and under the influence of alcohol and had been out drinking the night before. He was otherwise a fit and healthy man.”

He said that the amount of alcohol and the position he was in when he was found was what caused his death.

Coroner Dillon addressed Keane’s family, including his wife Danielle Smirthwaite, his parents and aunt and uncles, who had attended, saying: “Thank you all for coming. It is always good when we have family attend.

“Most importantly for the coroner’s service is to offer all of you as a family our condolences on the loss of Keane.”

Speaking to KentOnline after the hearing, Danielle said: “This whole process has been very distressing for myself and I am sure for other family members.

“But to finally receive the conclusion that was expected that Keane’s death was an accident after waiting almost seven months is a bit of relief. I would like to thank everyone for their support.

“Accidents do happen and Keane went out there with the good intention to get his name known throughout the army and the cyber security community.

“We all knew Keane did not intend to die and that if he could he would be here today, watching his children grow. We will forever love him. He will forever be missed.”

Keane and Danielle met while at Brompton Academy in Gillingham, when they were both 15 years old and completed both their GCSEs and A-levels together before he went on basic training.

The pair sent letters to each other while he was away and when the West Ham fan returned, the school sweethearts got engaged in 2019 but were only married for less than a year before he died.

They have two children together – Haydn, two, and Penelope, who was born in June.

Speaking previously, Danielle paid tribute to the young dad. She said: “Keane was a kind-hearted, generous nerd of a man. He was funny, had an amazing sense of humour and was always respectful to whoever he met.

“Keane adored the family we created together and loved the families he came from. He was an amazing dada and would do anything for our little family.

“Our families are so proud of the person he was and the things he accomplished. He was an only child and the shine in his parents' eyes, they will forever be proud of the life he lived and forever be broken that he is no longer here.”