AN EPILEPTIC angler died after falling into a popular Oxfordshire fishing lake.

No-one saw 22-year-old Andy Montague enter the icy water at Trow Pool in Bucknell, near Bicester, on February 12, but it is believed he suffered a fit on the bank.

Oxfordshire coroner Nicholas Gardiner yesterday recorded a verdict of accidental death at an inquest into Mr Montague’s death.

The inquest at Old County Hall heard Mr Montague, of Leach Road, Bicester, had gone fishing at 6.30am after finishing a nightshift at the British Bakels factory in Granville Road.

Mr Montague had been diagnosed with epilepsy at 19 after suffering seizures triggered by drug use and excessive drinking.

A bottle of whisky and some cannabis was found with his fishing tackle after he was spotted face-down in the water, near the edge, at about 9.10am. Mr Gardiner said he tested positive for his epilepsy medication and cannabis, but no alcohol.

Mr Montague was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford by air ambulance but was pronounced dead at about 6.30pm after extensive efforts to revive him.

Pathologist Dr Olaf Ansorge told the inquest the post-mortem examination was hampered by blood transfusions given during resuscitation attempts.