An “active” 74-year-old who had not visited the doctor for more than 30 years, died following a rare bout of insomnia due to ill health. 

Carpenter and furniture restorer David Cawkill, of King’s Lynn, died at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital on September 6 last year. 

Evidence read out at an inquest held at Norfolk Coroner’s Court heard that on May 11, Mr Cawkill suffered from urinary retention and had to have a catheter inserted. 

Speaking at the court based at County Hall, Norwich, area coroner Samantha Goward said: “There were some difficulties with this requiring further medical input on a number of occasions. 

“Mr Cawkill began to have difficulties sleeping and kept a diary where he recorded that he began to feel strange, hazy, had panicky dreams and was forgetful. He began to feel very anxious.” 

Mr Cawkill started to suffer with insomnia, not sleeping for five days on one occasion. Despite being given medication by his GP, his condition did not improve. 

Evidence from his GP noted the severe impact that lack of sleep could have on an individual including on their mental wellbeing. 

On June 28, Mr Cawkill was found by his wife after having ingested a type of liquid used to kill weeds. 

Ms Goward added: “It is very clear that something changed for David around that time. 

“This was very out of character and had David been his usual self he would never have ingested [it] because he knew the risks of that. 

“It's not clear from the evidence what caused the change, but whatever the cause, the evidence shows it was something new, a very different condition, and something which affected David’s usual thought process.” 

Mr Cawkill was admitted to hospital and remained in intensive care for several weeks before he declined and later died. 

The primary medical cause of death was given as aspiration pneumonia due to, or as a result of, esophageal stricture. 

Ms Goward recorded a narrative conclusion of “died due to indigestion of caustic soda following a sudden decline in his mental health and his intention at the time is not clear.” 

Mr Cawkill was a “loving husband” to Maureen and “much-loved dad” to Dean and Lisa.