A FRUIT picker from Ledbury who drank himself to death was not used to alcohol, an inquest has heard.

Polish immigrant Czestaw Rzepczynski died on January 22 after drinking a litre of rum.

The worker, aged 52, had been celebrating a Polish festival the day before, but collapsed and never recovered.

Last Monday’s inquest heard that Mr Rzepczynski died from mechanical asphyxiation, brought on by acute alcohol poisoning.

A post mortem carried out by Hereford pathologist Dr Mark Hayes recorded 392mgs of alcohol in 100 mls of blood – almost five times the legal drink-drive limit.

The report also concluded that the victim was not a “regular abuser or user” or alcohol.

The inquest was told the victim, based at Fairtree Farm, spent the previous morning with other workers at Well Picked, near Evesham.

According to friend Viliam Bodik, the group finished at midday and stopped off at Morrisons, Evesham, where Mr Rzepczynski bought the rum to celebrate Grandfather’s Day. He shared the drink with workers, but drank most of the contents.

“I saw Czestaw drink all the way back to Ledbury. When we got back at 2pm I helped him back into the caravan and he was still drinking,” said Mr Bodik.

“I told him to not to drink any more – he wasn’t a regular drinker and he only drank at parties or special occasions.” Mr Bodik found Mr Rzepczynski next morning.

Det Sgt Mark Jinks told the inquest: “It’s clear the deceased had consumed a large amount of alcohol during a short time.

“He collapsed while inebriated and this was followed by unconsciousness.” Deputy Herefordshire Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a verdict of accidental death.