A HARDWORKING man who had overcome cancer died after injuring his head in a fall.

The inquest into the death of Philip Andrew McCleary at County Hall in Ruthin heard that he was a kind man who doted on his children and twin grandsons.

His daughter Lisa told in inquest how her father had been diagnosed with bowel cancer but, after surgery, he had been given the all clear and required no further treatment.

The family felt "dad could finally get on with his life again," she told the inquest.

At the time of his death on September 25, last year, he was working as a cleaner at Wetherspoons in Wrexham and was lodging with Lorraine Hewitt and Raymond Braisdell in East Avenue, Garden Village, Wrexham.

The inquest heard that the 58-year-old had been out in Wrexham the night prior to his death and had visited pubs, including Wetherspoons and the Welch Fusilier, where he had been seen by friends.

CCTV footage showed him having a slight fall in the Welch Fusilier but the taxi driver that dropped him off in East Avenue at the end of the night said that, although it was obvious he had been drinking, he walked around the side of the house without any problems.

Mr McCleary only had a key to the backdoor of the property and would enter through the kitchen.

In statements read out in the inquest, Ms Hewitt and Mr Braisdell said they returned home after midnight and found Mr McCleary on the floor of the hallway near the bottom of the stairs. Both the hallway and stairs were not carpeted.

They called 999 and paramedics attended. Mr Braisdell said he also informed Mr McCleary's daughter Lisa what had happened.

They added that their friend and lodger was "one of the nicest people you could meet".

In the report from the attending paramedics, the inquest heard Mr McCleary was lying in a near foetal position at the bottom of the stairs with a pool of blood beneath his head. 

Mr McCleary was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital before being transferred to Royal Stoke University Hospital. There he deteriorated and passed away on September 25 with his daughters Lisa and Rachel at his side.

Recording a conclusion of accidental death, Coroner for North Wales (East and Central) John Gittins said Mr McCleary had died as a result of a devastating brain injury sustained in the fall.

The inquest heard Mr McCleary was a Wrexham AFC fan, famed for his air guitar performances, and had "a heart of gold".

Lisa said: "He had the kindest of hearts and would do anything for anyone."

Mr Gittins added: "From what I have read and what you have told me today it is clear that he was a hardworking man who was very much loved."