A “HAPPY-GO-LUCKY” man tragically died from carbon monoxide poisoning while he slept in a caravan next to his family's home near Bridgwater.

Wayne Silk, 36, died in a caravan at Lime Kiln Cottage, Stolford, on December 22 last year.

An inquest at Bridgwater Town Hall last week heard how the construction worker, who travelled across the country for his profession, was staying in his caravan at Stolford while working in Exeter.

Jody Westlake, Mr Silk's brother-in-law, told the inquest he seemed in a happy mood when he went to bed early on December 21.

But when the family spotted that Mr Silk had not left for work the next morning, they found him dead inside his caravan.

Wesley Tancock, a registered Corgi dealer, told the inquest that the fan-assisted heater in Mr Silk's caravan was in a bad condition, with wires hanging out of it.

It was tested, but no obvious fault was found.

He said that the ventilation ducts in the caravan were blocked, meaning fumes could have been brought back into the caravan.

West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose, recording a verdict of accidental death, said the cause was carbon monoxide poisoning.

He said: “This was a tragic case. There is no doubt that Mr Silk went to the caravan, put on the heating, and went to bed.

“He had all of the windows closed and that proved fatal.

“There is a lesson here for everyone - it is just as important to have gas appliances working properly in your caravan, as well as your home.”