A 'MUCH LOVED' Winchester man who worked at the city's hospital died after overdosing on anaesthetic, an inquest heard.

Arnold Moreto, of Romsey Road, died at his home on July 15 last year.

An inquest into his death, on Monday, November 6 at Winchester Coroners' Court, heard that Mr Moreto, 49, worked as a clinical theatre coordinator at the Royal Hampshire County Hospital in Winchester. 

However, he suffered physically and mentally after he was in a road traffic collision on the A34 in December 2019. He suffered brain, facial and knee injuries. 

Consultant pathologist Dr Sanjay Jogai, who carried out the post-mortem, told the inquest that the cause of death was a drug overdose. He said: “It is a very strong and potent drug.”

READ MORE: What happens at an inquest and what can the press report?

Dr Alex Charkin, GP at St Paul's Surgery, said that Mr Moreto had been prescribed anti-depressants after the road traffic collision, but that he didn't always take them.

Mr Moreto also had six months off work after the incident, before a phased return.

Diana Grecu, Mr Moreto's partner, told the inquest they met in 2019. She said: “I was trying to help him with the issues he was going through.”

Ms Grecu told the inquest that she was in the car with Mr Moreto during the crash in 2019 and that she suffered spine and ankle injuries. 

She said: “He told me he was taking something for depression and that it improved his mood. But then he went back to being angry and admitted he had stopped taking it. 

“His knee injury really bothered him, he was in quite a lot of pain. I didn't want to abandon him.”

Ms Grecu said that she offered to pay for his therapy, but he refused. 

Ben Cresswell, consultant surgeon at Hampshire Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “He was much loved at work. The vast majority of people spoke very highly of him.”

Assistant coroner Simon Burge said: “I haven't heard anyone say they disliked him. He clearly was very charming. But there is nothing to suggest this wasn't suicide.”

The coroner gave the verdict of suicide and said: “I offer the members of his family, work colleagues and partner condolences for your loss.”