AN EVERTON fan tragically died falling downstairs while trying to find a place to urinate.

Mark Lambert, 58, had travelled from his home in Cumbria to watch his beloved Blues play Brighton and Hove Albion FC.

But the Toffees fan died in the early hours of the morning of the game when he stumbled down a flight of stairs.

An inquest at Brighton Coroner’s Court heard the grandfather was found in a pool of blood at the entrance of a basement flat in Marine Parade, Brighton, on October 15 last year.

He was discovered by a resident.

Nurse Pedro Da Silva said in a statement: “Around 8.30am I left the flat on the ground floor to walk the dog, and as I looked over at the stairs to basement I saw a pair of legs.

“I went to touch the man to see if he was alive, but he did not have a pulse and was cold to touch.”

Mr Lambert was declared dead at the scene around 8.50am.

Police said no one else was involved.

Detective sergeant Julie Greenwood said in a statement the flies on his jeans were open and there was a wet patch, indicating Mr Lambert had headed down the stairs to urinate.

Pathologist Dr David Wright said the warehouse manager died from head injuries. A toxicology report also showed he had 240mg per 100ml of alcohol in his system – three times over the drink drive limit.

The report said: “It would depend on the tolerance of the individual, but this level of alcohol is consistent with impairment, reduced awareness and balance, and impaired coordination.”

The court heard Mr Lambert had travelled down for the game the evening before with his brother.

The pair had been drinking on the train down, before they arrived in Brighton around 7pm and visited pubs.

His brother Chris headed back to the hotel in Marine Parade, leaving him to enjoy the night in the pub.

The court heard Mr Lambert was probably on his way back to the hotel when he fell in Marine Parade, a very short distance from the hotel.

Senior coroner Veronica Hamilton-Deeley recorded his death as an accident before giving her condolences to the family.  
He died before having the chance to watch Everton draw against the Albion.

Mr Lambert, who was born in Liverpool, had been supporting the team since he was eight, despite moving away from Merseyside.

His brother Chris said in a statement read in court: “Mark’s passion and love for Everton has been passed down to his son and grandson.”