POLICE forces across the UK are being urged to review how they transport prisoners after a man fell into a coma in a police van taking him to cells.

An inquest jury yesterday returned a verdict of misadventure on traveller Patrick Lowther, of Stockton, who died two months after suffering a heart attack and brain damage while in police custody.

Teesside Coroner Michael Sheffield had heard that the alcohol-dependent Romany was more than six times over the drink-driving limit when he was found, asleep in his van on the edge of Selby, North Yorkshire, by PC Anthony Wadsworth.

Keith Thomas, who was accompanying Mr Lowther, had become so frightened by the 33-year-old's erratic driving that, despite being a non-driver, he had snatched the steering wheel of his friend's van. He had steered the vehicle off a busy road, confiscating the keys.

PC Wadsworth, who arrested Mr Lowther, had told the inquest it was difficult to see into the prison cage in the back of the police van, while driving. With no windows in the rear doors, the back was often in darkness.

It was only when he opened the van doors at York police station, after a 28-minute journey, that PC Wadsworth discovered the father-of-two slumped, unconscious, on the van floor.

His brother, Joseph, speaking through his solicitor, Scott Taylor, said after the week-long hearing: "This inquest has raised a number of concerns regarding the procedures for transporting vulnerable detainees to the police station.

"I think the systems employed by North Yorkshire Police and the design of police vans to be wholly inadequate. I call upon North Yorkshire Police and all police forces to examine their policies to prevent a further tragic death.''

His comatose brother was taken to York District Hospital, on the day of his arrest in November 2002, but died in the University Hospital of North Tees, Stockton, on January 10, 2003, of bronchial pneumonia due to brain damage.

A police spokesman said: "A full and proper hearing was given on which the jury reached their verdict."

He said the force would consider any suggestions submitted by Mr Lowther's solicitors.

Neither PC Wadsworth nor his barrister, Ian Groom made any comment after the case.