A NORTH-East holidaymaker died after taking cocaine in his Spanish hotel room.

Daniel Hymer, 35, of Shotley Bridge, near Consett, County Durham, was on a break near Barcelona last July with a Dutch friend.

An inquest heard yesterday (ThurAp5) that a post mortem conducted in this country concluded that Mr Hymer died of the effects of cocaine.

Coroner’s Officer PC Helen McLean told the inquest was on holiday with Thomas Giatal (correct) when he died.

She said Mr Giatal told her that the pair had been out for a meal and drinks and returned to their hotel room to watch a film and continue drinking.

Mr Giatal said he fell asleep but was woken up by a commotion and found Mr Hymer to be having what appeared to be a panic attack.

He said Mr Hymer appeared to be "stressed out’’ and could not say what was the matter.

Wearing only trousers, he ran out of the room into the hotel lobby.

Mr Giatal managed to give him some clothes but then he ran outside and was not seen again.

Mr Giatal said he was not aware of his friend taking any drugs.

Mr Hymer was later found by a passer-by but died shortly after arriving in hospital.

The inquest, which was not attended by Mr Hymer’s family, heard that Spanish police said no-one else was involved in his death. Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle gave a verdict that Mr Hymer died from abuse of drugs.