A 33-YEAR-old woman was discovered dead in a Hereford flat after a neighbour became concerned and called the emergency services.

Rachel Box was found dead by police and the ambulance service in her home in St John Street on March 23 last year.

The alarm was raised when Stephen Lambert saw one of his neighbours, Timothy Bassett, in the street and felt concerned about his dishevelled appearance.

Mr Lambert told an inquest at Herefordshire Coroner's Court that he spoke to Mr Bassett.

He said: "I said, 'Are you ok? Is there anything I can do?' He looked terrible. I had never seen him anything like that before."

Mr Bassett told him his girlfriend was dead and said he had not called the ambulance or police. Mr Lambert said he thought Mr Bassett had told him she had been dead for two or three days.

He persuaded Mr Bassett to let him call the emergency services, which he did.

A post mortem report recorded Ms Box died from a neurological complication called central pontine myelinolysis, which appeared to have been as a consequence of alcohol dependency.

A toxicology report showed she had a high blood alcohol concentration of 365mg per 100ml of blood, which is above the range ascertained with fatality which can be 350mg.

The inquest heard that the neurological condition can cause seizures.

In a statement read to the inquest, Daniel Ducas of Tanners Wines in St Peter's Square said on March 20 he served a male with a dishevelled appearance who appeared drunk.

Mr Ducas served the man who said to him, out of the blue: "My girlfriend is on the floor. I think she's having a seizure. I don't know what to do." He ignored the comment and the man left with the vodka he had bought.

Mr Bassett told police Ms Box had died approximately two days before. When he was asked why he had not called 999, he said she had not wanted him to do so on previous occasions.

Mr Bassett died on April 25 last year.

Coroner Mark Bricknell recorded a narrative conclusion which said: "Post mortem samples reveal the presence of alcohol sufficient to cause an extreme degree of intoxication in an average social drinker. Rachel had a history of alcohol use to excess.

"Events prior to certification of her death are unclear. It appears she was unconscious or deceased for some time prior to medical intervention. Her friend, who in part was responsible for her care, died on April 25, 2018."