BY a sad coincidence, an inquest was held into the death of one of Kristian Andersen's friends yesterday. He also died of a drug overdose.

Wayne Fairs, who lived in Winsley Close, Penhill, was 21 when he was found dead in the foyer of a unit of flats in Downton Road on January 12 this year.

Kristian's mother confirmed afterwards that the two had known one another.

The night before his death, Wayne had shared £20-worth of heroin and £20-worth of crack cocaine with a friend, Justin Rowse, whom the hearing was told was now serving a jail term over another matter.

As with the case of Kristian, the alarm was not raised for some time because people living in the flats simply thought he was a drunk sleeping it off.

Coroner David Masters delivered a verdict that Wayne had died from the abuse of drugs.

He said: "This is the second time today I have heard a very similar story. It is such a waste of young lives.

"I make no apology for drawing out the evidence, which may be distressing it is evidence that should be heard."

An ambulance was called when one resident noticed that Wayne's lips were extremely pale and that he was completely motionless.

However, nothing could be done to revive him.

Mr Masters concluded: "I send my sympathy to his friends and family."