The liver of a 31-year-old man who died after drinking heavily and being involved in a car crash will be donated to help others.

An inquest heard that Darren Woodger’s alcohol level after the collision was in the “fatal range”, but that the organ was still healthy enough to help another person.

The resumed hearing into the death of Mr Woodger, of Booth Close, Holborough, Snodland, heard police and paramedics found an empty bottle of vodka in his car.

Mr Woodger’s car overturned at Birling Hill last year, landing back on its wheels.

Two days later, on November 1, he was pronounced dead at Medway Maritime Hospital.

A statement read out from paramedics who treated him on the spot said he was given full life support. There were no signs of external physical injuries.

The hospital’s Dr David Simpson told the hearing he was unresponsive and had suffered a cardiac arrest before being admitted.

After tests Mr Woodger was declared “brain stem dead,” meaning there were no responses from the part of the brain connecting to the spinal chord.

“I’m quite satisfied he did not take his own life, which leads me to the verdict of accidental death" - coronor Patricia Harding

Dr Simpson told the inquest that with the agreement of his family, Mr Woodger’s liver was donated in a still healthy state, despite a history of alcohol abuse.

Dr David Rouse, who conducted the post mortem, said the cause of death was alcohol intoxication within the fatal range, resulting in brain damage.

His mother Kim, from Addington, near Maidstone, told the coroner her son “was a good lad” who resumed drinking heavily only recently.

She claimed it was sparked by a strained relationship with his partner Vicky Martin.

Giving evidence, Ms Martin said he was taking anti-depressants and “hanging around with people who tended to drink a lot.”

Before the crash the couple had a heated argument over his drinking.

Coroner Patricia Harding said: “I’m quite satisfied he did not take his own life, which leads me to the verdict of accidental death.

“There’s no evidence the collision contributed to his death.”