An inquest heard Mark Stewart had phoned his mother the day before his death to wish her happy birthday
A popular Big Issue seller who died suddenly last year was found in a toilet cubicle in a McDonald’s restaurant in Cardiff, an inquest has heard.
Mark Stewart, 29, was well known on the streets of Cardiff and was often seen with his dog, Gus, selling the Big Issue in St Mary Street.
On November 10 last year, Mr Stewart was found in a toilet cubicle at McDonald’s in Queen Street in the city centre.
A police officer was at the fast food restaurant searching for a wanted man in an unrelated matter when a member of staff told the officer a man was sleeping in the toilet.
When the officer managed to unlock the door it would not fully open and he squeezed in to pull Mr Stewart out of the cubicle.
A used syringe was found on the floor and two other officers arrived at the scene and immediately began CPR.
'He loved his family and we loved him'
A defibrillator was sent from security at the St David’s Centre but the machine recommended it not be used and to continue with CPR.
PC Christopher Griffiths, who was at the scene, said: “We placed him on the floor and immediately began CPR. There was sick in his throat and we attempted to dislodge it by turning him to his side.”
He said an implement was used to clear Mr Stewart’s airway while waiting for paramedics to arrive at the scene.
He was taken to the University Hospital of Wales by ambulance but after receiving CPR for a total of 75 minutes he was pronounced dead at the Accident and Emergency unit.
Mr Stewart’s mother Zania Filby said he phoned her the day before to wish her a happy birthday.
She said: “He would do anything for any of us. He loved his family and we loved him.”
After his mother was involved in a car accident Mr Stewart offered to be her carer.
She added: “Never once did he turn away from me and offered to be my carer. I spoke to him for the last time on the phone [the day before his death]. He called me to wish me happy birthday.”
Coroner Philip Spinney said the post-mortem examination found a small amount of cocaine and a potentially fatal level of heroin and said the cause of death was heroin toxicity.
The coroner concluded Mr Stewart’s death was drug-related.
Following Mr Stewart’s death hundreds of people paid tribute to him on the Humans of Cardiff Facebook page.
Tal Shopland wrote: “Oh my gosh, this man saved my life from a drunken man last year. RIP you amazing man.”
Joseph Harvey added: “What a nice man. Always polite. And we would always have a beautiful conversation.”
see original unedited article at-
http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/popular-big-issue-seller-found-12601687
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