Skip to content

Inmate died after being found on toilet - inquest

BBC A drone image of Parc Prison, in front of it is the Parc Derwen housing estate can be seen, with hills in the distance behind it BBC
David Ridgeway was found on the toilet in Parc Prison unresponsive with a small bit of vomit on him

An inmate died after being found unresponsive on a toilet in a prison that has seen 13 prisoner deaths this year, an inquest has heard.

The alarm was raised at Bridgend's Parc Prison on 7 October and unsuccessful attempts were made to revive David Ridgeway, 51, for about 40 minutes.

A post-mortem examination found further investigation was needed to establish a cause of death.

The inquest was adjourned until a pre-inquest review in November.

The coroner was told prison officers carried out a welfare check on Mr Ridgeway at 13:45 BST and found "a small amount of vomit" on him.

Coroner Graeme Hughes said he was "mandated" to continue investigations because Mr Ridgeway was "in the custody of the state".

The coroner passed on his condolences to the family and friends of Mr Ridgeway.