A KEEN golfer and ‘loving father’ died after falling down the stairs in his home, an inquest heard.

A hearing was told how Raymond Cormack died from an accidental death at his Barrow home aged 57 last year.

Originally from Wallsend in the north east, Mr Cormack moved to Barrow to work as a chartered civil engineer.

The inquest at Barrow Town Hall was told the father-of-two had been found dead at the bottom of the stairs in his home on May 26.

A post-mortem examination ruled he had died as a result of head injuries.

Toxicology reports found he had a high level of alcohol in his system at the time of his death, equivalent to two-and-a-half times the legal limit for driving.

His state was described as one of ‘extreme drunkenness’ but the hearing was unable to determine the effect the alcohol would have had on him because his tolerance was not known.

The engineer and member of Barrow Golf Club was married to his former wife Julie for 30 years before they separated.

She said: “I do believe this was a terrible accident.

“He was a loving person, father and amazing son to his mum.”

The inquest heard he had suffered a brain haemorrhage in 2008 and then a stroke only six weeks later.

He later experienced epileptic seizures.

Mr Cormack was found by his brother-in-law Martin Benzie who had come to check on him. He noticed his body through the letterbox.

Assistant coroner Craig Smith concluded the man’s death was an accident caused by him falling down the stairs.

He added: “Ray will be sadly missed by his family and friends and all those who knew him.”