THE family of a man with epilepsy were so worried about his condition that plans were being made for him to move back in with his estranged wife, an inquest heard.

But before Jason Mitchell could move he suffered a final massive seizure and died after falling from a first-floor window at his flat in Colne, Burnley Coroner's Court was told.

Consultant pathologist Dr Walid Salman said that although Mr Mitchell, 36, had fallen two floors, and collided with a porch, he had only suffered cuts and bruises.

Dr Salman said it was highly likely that he was dead, as a result of a seizure, before he was found less than 24 hours prior to his 37th birthday.

The inquest heard that Mr Mitchell had suffered with epilpesy from childhood but had managed to control it, coming off medication and being allowed to drive.

But following a fall in 2007, in which he suffered serious brain injuries, his epilepsy had returned and he began to suffer more serious episodes, according to his family.

His partner Angela Mitchell, with whom he had two children, said she saw him the day before his death and they had discussed him moving back to life with her.

“He even sat me down and said he was getting really frightened because he knew that his fits were getting a lot worse and that is why he asked to move back in. But we didn't get a chance to,” she added.

Just a fortnight before his death Mr Mitchell, of Burrans Meadow, had been at his mother Sandra Payton and stepfather Ron’s home when he suddenly rushed from the room.

The inquest heard he was found trying to climb out of a first floor window and had to be restrained by Mr Payton. He then had a major seizure.

But afterwards he recalled nothing about the window episode and was mortified at his behaviour.

East Lancashire coroner Richard Taylor said he had considered recording a verdict of natural causes, when he first considered Mr Mitchell’s death.

But he said this would not have explained his final moments, the inquest heard.

Mr Taylor recorded a narrative verdict and said that Mr Mitchell's original fall, in March 2007, which led to him undergoing a partial frontal lobotomy, had resulted in his epilepsy returning.

This had led to him suffering a major seizure on August 11, before the second fall from his flat window, he added.

Known to friends as ‘Chinny’, his memorial night at the Shepherd’s Arms in Colne was packed out.