A TALENTED mechanic died after inhaling fumes from a barbecue he lit in his own car, an inquest has heard today (Thursday, July 21).

Steven Johns, 42, of Church Street, Highbridge, had locked the garage at his home, taken a large quantity of amphetamines and lit the barbecue, the hearing was told.

The senior coroner for Somerset, Tony Williams, concluded that Mr Johns, who was said to love his job at Portbury Docks, took his own life on January 25 this year, with the cause of death carbon monoxide and amphetamine toxicity.