by Joe Walker
joewalker@thekmgroup.co.uk

A twitcher drowned in his car while birdwatching - after he fell into a coma as the tide came in.

Colin Woodman’s red Skoda was submerged by the incoming water as he lay slumped unconscious in the back.

An inquest heard he had gone to the Harty Ferry causeway near Oare Marshes Nature Reserve in Faversham on the night of November 17 last year.

Armed with binoculars, the 61-year-old diabetic, of Tankerton Road, Whitstable, drove to the end of a concrete jetty used to launch boats and settled down for a spot of birdwatching.

But at some time in the night he fell into a coma - induced by lethal levels of a diabetes-related substance produced by his body.

The tide came in, submerging the car and drowning an oblivious Mr Woodman.

His body was discovered by local fishermen Mark Hamilton and Barry Walpole the following morning.

Mr Hamilton said: “We saw a red car on the causeway. It wasn’t unusual, but Barry said to go and check if someone was inside.

“The passenger window was wound down and I could see a man in the back. His feet were up against the driver’s door.”

Emergency services were called but Mr Woodman – a kitchen porter at the Marine Hotel – was pronounced dead at the scene.

Police investigating his death ruled out any suspicious circumstances and found no sign of a suicide note at his flat.

The court was told Mr Woodman’s coma had been induced by high levels of beta-Hydroxbutyrate - a substance produced when the body’s ability to digest glucose is reduced.

A post-mortem examination showed he had almost 10 times the normal level in his body.

Tragically, on the day his body was discovered, he had been due to have blood tests which would have detected the problem.

He knew he had Type 2 diabetes and was already receiving treatment for it.

His dad Alfred - who wasn’t aware his son was diabetic - told the court he had taken him to the doctors two days earlier because he was concerned about his health.

He said: “He was a very bubbly, exuberant sort of lad, but lately he looked like a zombie.

“It was a complete contrast to how he normally was. It was obvious to anyone who knew him.

“We went to the doctors on the Monday and Colin was given an appointment for blood tests on the Wednesday.

"Unfortunately he didn’t make it.”

Delivering a narrative verdict, the coroner agreed with a pathologist’s findings, saying: “Colin Woodman died by drowning having fallen into a coma as a result of severe ketosis caused by diabetes.”

Speaking outside Folkestone Coroner's Court on Tuesday, Alfred said: “I always knew he wouldn’t have killed himself - there was never any doubt.

"But I couldn’t work out why he wouldn’t have woken up when the tide came in.

“That’s the question I wanted an answer to, and I was given it today.

"Colin never told us he had diabetes, but at least now we know what happened.”

Did you know Colin? If so, post your tribute to him in the comment box below.