Accident verdict recorded into crash death

Man had ecstasy, cocaine and alcohol in system

An inquest's heard how a man who'd taken a mixture of drink and drugs was killed in a high-speed crash in the Northwest of the Island.

27-year-old Jamie Joseph Cowhig died instantly when he hit a tree near Bishopscourt in the early hours of December 28.

Coroner of Inquests John Needham heard Mr Cowhig - a plasterer from Merseyside - gave a friend a lift home after a night out in Ramsey.

The court heard a cocktail of cocaine, ecstacy, cannabinoids and alcohol was found in his system. 

The hearing was told a friend asked him for a lift at 4am and he drove to Douglas from Ramsey before dropping her in Kirk Michael.

As he returned home to Ramsey his car mounted the curb, hit a tree and came to rest in a ditch in a nearby field.

Consultant Pathologist Dr Christopher Clague said Mr Cowhig would have died from his injuries virtually instantaneously.

Mr Needham recorded a verdict of accidental death.