A FATHER-of-two died after falling 80ft into a disused Darwen quarry.

Ian Thomson, 25, had been camping with his girlfriend and her family and was fatally injured after being separated from the group in the early hours of July 7, an inquest heard.

He was found at the bottom of Brownfield Quarry, off Blackburn Road, by his girlfriend’s brother.

The metal polisher, who lived in Lily Street, was pronounced dead after being taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital.

His partner, Sarah Haworth, told the inquest a group of around eight people had decided to go camping the night before. Half of the group, including Ian, headed to a rave nearby, while the others, including Sarah, chose to play on a tree swing and follow afterwards.

Sarah’s brother, Nick Haworth, told the inquest: “Ian was not having a good time, so we thought we would go back.”

But the pair split after arguing over a shortcut. Ian climbed a steep hill near the cliff edge while Nick stuck to the path, the inquest heard.

Nick turned back after arriving at an empty camp site.

He said: “I walked past the cliff face, saw the light from Ian’s phone and found him. In my mind he was dead.”

Questioning Nick, Ian’s father, Robert Thomson, said he was originally told Nick was at the top of the cliff when he saw Ian’s body.

He asked: “Why is this a different story from what we were told on the night?”

A statement Nick gave was read out and he told the court he had not spoken to Ian’s family on the night.

Ian suffered breaks to both legs, serious chest injuries, and was double the legal drink drive limit when he died, the court heard.

Coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict of accidental death, caused by multiple injuries.