A fairground worker died from a heroin overdose and was dumped in a ditch, an inquest heard.

And drug-takers who were with Shipley-born Max Ling when he overdosed were neglectful in not helping to save his life, Halifax Coroner Roger Whittaker said.

Detective Inspector Dick Nuttall of Halifax CID told the court the people with Mr Ling, 28, had panicked when they discovered he was dead and dumped his body, which was found on May 31 last year in Pinfold Lane, Elland.

He said inquiries led to an address in Whitwell Grove, Elland. A witness had visited the house at about 12.45am the day before to buy drugs and saw a man laid on the carpet who he was told was called Max and whose parents ran a Brighouse amusement arcade. He said the man was unconscious and had overdosed. The occupants said they were aware of his condition.

DI Nuttall said one suspect said he had known Mr Ling, of Atlas Mill Road in Brighouse. He said he went to Whitwell Grove to score a £10 bag of heroin. Mr Ling asked for a needle to inject himself but then collapsed. He was walked around the garden to regain consciousness and remained conscious until 4am, when they went to bed.

The suspect said he discovered the next morning that Mr Ling was dead, panicked and removed his body.

Det Insp Nuttall said the Crown Prosecution Service had decided there was insufficient evidence to prosecute.

The inquest heard Mr Ling had the equivalent of one and a half times the legal drink/drive limit of alcohol in his system and opiates were present.

Mr Whittaker recorded a verdict of abuse of drugs and said he was satisfied Mr Ling had administered the drugs himself.

He said: "I believe that when he succumbed to this overdose, there was a prospect he might have recovered.

"Those with him failed in a simple, humanitarian exercise to afford him basic medical attention. Although he died from a drugs overdose, neglect contributed to that death."