A hairdresser who was found dead by his mother on his birthday was killed by a toxic mix of prescription drugs following a near fatal car crash, an inquest heard.

Nicholas Edwards, from Tunbridge Wells, broke his neck, back, pelvis and collarbone while also suffering internal bleeding during the collision in February 2016.

His injuries forced him to walk with a cane and would regularly suffer falls. At the time of his death, on May 2, he was found with antidepressants and painkillers in his system.

Sergeant Joe Green, from Tunbridge Wells CID, told the coroner’s court that the 39-year-old was reported to have looked unwell before he was found.

Although neither Mr Edwards’s bank card nor house key could be found, Sgt Green ruled out any suspicious circumstances surrounding his death.

He said: “Based on health problems and accounts stating he was unwell I believe he succumbed to apre-existing ailment.

“I could find absolutely no evidence of third party involvement in the death of Nicholas.”

Although a number of prescription drugs were found in Mr Edwards’s body, none were deemed to be at a fatal level.

During an inquest held at Archbishops Palace, in Maidstone, Coroner Roger Hatch concluded Mr Edwards’s death was drug-related.