Tourist death at the Okay was A-OK, not a foul play

Lewis Newbury

Cambodia death: accidental verdict

20 March 2008
Royston Crow (UK)

A CORONER has recorded a verdict of accidental death on a 23-year-old man who died while travelling in Cambodia.

An inquest at Hertfordshire Coroner's Court on Thursday heard that Lewis Newbury, 23, of Stamford Avenue, Royston, died at the Okay Guest House in Daun Penh, Cambodia, on October 12 last year.

A post-mortem examination showed that he died of acute cardio-pulmonary failure.

Coroner Edward Thomas told Lewis's family: "This death was unintended. I can't begin to imagine how awful this has been for you and nothing I can say will take away what has happened.

"Lewis was very happy and enjoying himself. His friends said he was an easy person to travel with, who often spoke of his family," he said.

The coroner read a statement from Conrad Franks, a friend who Lewis met while travelling in south-east Asia.

He said that on the day of Lewis's death they had spent much of the afternoon and evening drinking beer and vodka with another friend, Richard Sergeant.

They had planned to visit a night club after dinner, but Lewis decided to stay behind at the hotel, as he was already "extremely drunk, laughing, and swaying on his feet".

Conrad and Richard took Lewis to his room, and put him to bed at about 11.30pm. They returned at 5am, and said that when they checked on Lewis his skin was warm and he appeared to be asleep.

When Lewis did not show up for a coach trip the group had planned the next day, the alarm was raised.

The coroner also read a report from the chief of police in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, who said that officers found no sign of a break in and that there were no injuries to the body.

He added that it was the conclusion of local police that Lewis "probably died of alcohol overdose or heart failure."

A post-mortem examination carried out at the Lister Hospital found that Lewis had suffered a cardio-pulmonary failure.

Mr Thomas said that this was common in someone whose cardio-respiratory system had consumed a high level of alcohol.

Cambodian police investigate after two foreigners die at hostel

DPA

Cambodian police confirmed Tuesday that they were investigating the circumstances surrounding the mysterious deaths of two young foreigners within days of each other at one of the capital's most popular backpacker hostels.

Police from Phnom Penh's Daun Penh district said a 23-year-old British male whose name was not made available was found dead in his bed by staff at the Okay Guesthouse on October 12.

An American national whom police named as Todd Richard Wunderle, 26, was discovered unconscious by his girlfriend on Saturday in almost identical circumstances and rushed to an international clinic where he was pronounced dead on arrival.

"I am not able to say whether these deaths were in any way drug related or not at this stage. The investigation is going on, but you should direct questions regarding the circumstances to the coroner," vice chief of Daun Penh police Sem Vuthy said by telephone Tuesday.

Okay Guesthouse has garnered praise from backpacking guides including TravelFish and Lonely Planet for its central location, friendly staff and inexpensive rooms and the bustling hostel is regularly recommended on internet backpacking sites.

A staff member of Okay who declined to be named said by telephone Tuesday that staff had been saddened and shocked by the deaths, but believed that they were coincidental tragedies and business was proceeding as usual.