ILLICIT drug abuse, and the refusal of major surgery, played a part in the death of a 49-year-old Isle of Wight man.

Daniel Sprooles, of East Hill Road, Ryde, died at Mountbatten Hospice in Newport on January 11, 2022.

An inquest into his death resumed at the Isle of Wight Coroners’ Court yesterday (Tuesday).

His cause of death was attributed to ischemia of the right leg with gangrene and sepsis, ruptured infected right femoral pseudoaneurysm, and complications of intravenous drug abuse.

He had been admitted to hospital in December, complaining of shortness of breath and chest pain, among other symptoms.

Mr Sprooles was treated and found to have an ulcer in his right groin from frequent self-injections.

He was readmitted later in the month, complaining of pain and numbness in his right foot, and was found to have a serious infection.

There were concerns about sepsis, and Mr Sprooles declined above-knee amputation, after being told functional salvage of his leg was unlikely.  

The court heard he was fully aware his life was limited, made a conscious decision not to be operated on, and died peacefully and expectedly.

Coroner, Caroline Sumeray, said Mr Sprooles had a long history of intravenous drug abuse – at least ten years – and developed a massive infection.

She said surgeons did what they could to stop that infection, but major surgical intervention was required to save his life.

Ms Sumeray said Mr Sprooles understood his refusal of amputation meant he would die, and that was tragically what happened.   

She drew the short-form conclusion that his death was drug-related, and served as a lesson to others.

Ms Sumeray said it was a sad, sorry tale, and ultimately a warning that if you dabble in drugs, you take risks with your life.   

She said you play Russian roulette when you take drugs, and it is a roulette you are guaranteed to lose at some point, unless you seek help.

Ms Sumeray urged addicts to avail themselves of all help available.