Taxi Driver Online

Grimsby Evening Telegraph

September 17, 2007 Monday

Taxi driver died of alcohol poisoning

An Alcoholic taxi driver died when more than six times over the legal drink drive limit, an inquest heard.

Alan Cummings (40), who worked for Links Taxis, was found dead from alcohol poisoning at his home, on June 24.

The inquest, at Cleethorpes Town Hall, heard how Mr Cummings had a drinking problem which led to the separation of him and his wife.

At the time of his death, Mr Cummings had 491 milligrammes of alcohol in 100 militres of blood. The legal limit being 80mlg.

In a statement read to the inquest, his estranged wife, Linda Cummings, also a taxi driver with Links Taxis, said: "A friend of a friend asked me in 2004 if Alan had a drinking problem.

"She said she had been in his taxi with him when he had to brake sharply and a bottle of vodka rolled out from under his seat.

"I went home and checked his car and found two bottles of vodka. He admitted that he had been drinking, but said he had them in the car because I didn't like him to drink."

The couple separated soon after but continued to work together and stayed in touch outside work.

Mrs Cummings said she last saw Mr Cummings on June 19 and he looked "dreadful".

When she could not contact him for a few days after and he did not come to work, she became concerned and contacted police.

They broke into his home address, on Queens Parade, Grimsby, and found him slumped naked against his bed. He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Grimsby coroner Stewart Atkinson said: "He was said to be a known alcoholic and, therefore, I ask myself whether he was in an appropriate occupation driving a taxi when he was an alcoholic.

"Although we do not know whether he was ever driving while under the influence, it concerns me, especially as there was an incident where vodka was found in the car."

The coroner recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Links Taxis declined to comment.
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