A MAN found with severe injuries in the street died after falling on to low wooden fencing, an inquest heard.

Simon Makombe was found lying on the floor in Grays with head and facial injuries in the early hours of July 7.

An inquest at Newbridge House, Chelmsford, heard it was first believed Mr Makombe’s injuries were the result of an assault, but police soon ruled this out.

A post-mortem revealed the 57-year-old, from Romford Road, Aveley, died from an abdominal haemorrhage and blunt force trauma to the liver.

Deputy coroner for Essex, Eleanor McGann, heard Mr Makombe had left the Theobald Arms pub in Wharf Road, Grays, at about 11.15pm on Friday, July 6, after having around six pints of beer.

Several witnesses reported seeing Mr Makombe fall over several times near the taxi rank by Grays railway station and, concerned, someone called the police.

He was later found, unconscious, in Wharf Road by three men at around 1.15am.

They called an ambulance and Mr Makombe was taken to Basildon Hospital, where he died from his injuries.

Det Insp Joe Henderson told the court it was unclear what Mr Makombe did between leaving the pub and being found, but it was possible he visited other pubs.

He added it would be “very unusual” if Mr Makombe had been assaulted, for no one to call the police. He added: “Everything points to him falling over.”

The coroner heard Mr Makombe struggled with a drinking problem. She recorded a verdict of death by accident.