3am CRASH VICTIM WAS OVER LIMIT.

Byline: GARY STEWART

A MAN who died after crashing his car while being followed by police was almost three times over the drink-drive limit, an inquest has heard.

Anthony McAndrew, 33, died on May 25, 2008, when his Ford Focus was involved in an accident at the junction of Blackstone Street and Great Howard Street, in Vauxhall.

Mr McAndrew, from Aigburth, had been drinking lager earlier that day, the hearing was told, and shortly before the crash police had started to follow him.

Mr McAndrew crashed the car around 3.45am. Three fire engines, an ambulance, and first response car joined police at the scene.

Giving evidence at a jury inquest Dr Christopher Johnson, a forensic pathologist at the Royal Liverpool University Hospital, said Mr McAndrew died from multiple injuries including internal bleeding, a damaged lung, and fractured spine..

Dr Johnson said his body contained traces of cannabis and cocaine 'metabolites', waste products, but that these did not necessarily mean his driving would have been affected.

He confirmed he had 220mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

He said: "That is approaching three times the legal drink drive limit.

"But it was taken for clinical purposes and the alcohol may have fermented in the tube causing the level to rise." A paramedic said Mr McAndrew was conscious shortly after the accident and 'combative', trying to remove his oxygen mask and collar.

Emma Fabata, representing Mr McAndrew's family, asked if a patient going into shock could cause a change in their behaviour.

Dr Johnson said: "That's not unusual. Their behaviour should not be taken as a reflection of what has gone before." Mr McAndrew was treated on the pavement some 15 yards away from his vehicle and Dr Johnson noted his injuries were consistent with being thrown from the vehicle.

Mr McAndrew was taken to hospital but died around two hours later.

(Proceeding)

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TRIBUTES: The road where Anthony McAndrew was involved in a fatal crash