AN inquest into the death of the son of Burnley FC assistant manager Sam Ellis was told how medication he was taking at the time could have left him in a "zombie-like state."

Tim Ellis died in October after colliding with a lorry on the A583 Preston New Road, in Kirkham.

The 28-year-old was taken to Blackpool Victoria Hospital following the accident, where he was pronounced dead at the scene from multiple injuries.

His mum, Margaret Ellis, told the inquest that Mr Ellis was living with his girlfriend at their rented home, in Preston Street, Kirkham, although they were planning to buy their own. They were also planning to get married.

Anne Hind, coroner for Blackpool and The Fylde, was told by witnesses how Mr Ellis had been seen by the kerbside moments before he appeared to dart 'very fast' into the road.

Blackpool Victoria Hospital's Consultant pathologist Kadaba Srinath Vasudev, who carried out the post-mortem examination, said he died almost instantly.

Accident investigator PC Tim Hogan, said there was nothing HGV driver Christopher Radcliffe could have done.

The inquest at Blackpool heard how Mr Ellis had been suffering from a form of mental illness and was taking the anti-psychotic drug quetiapine, which could make users drowsy.

Dr Vasudev said his examinations revealed a 'therapeutic' amount of the drug in Mr Ellis' bloodstream.

He told the inquest: "The drug causes sleepiness. People on the medication are recommended not to operate machinery or drive. In simple terms, it produces a zombie-like state and takers are not aware of what is happening around them."

The day before his death, Mr Ellis had walked into Kirkham Police Station and told the officer on duty he had done something really, really bad and was acting in an 'odd manner.'

Reading out a statement from the officer, Mrs Hind said: "He appeared hesitant and I formed the opinion that maybe he was suffering from mental health problems.

"I asked him if he was and he said yes. I asked him if he was on medication and he said yes. I asked him if he was OK and if his medication was helping his condition. Mr Ellis explained he was seeing a mental health care worker.

"He said he had done something really bad which affected a lot of people.

Mrs Ellis, said she had seen her son earlier that day and appeared quiet, although nothing to cause concern.

She told the inquest that her son had been obsessed with his personal hygiene, although it wasn't until he was 21 that she recognised this as Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. On her recommendations Mr Ellis sought counselling.

She said six months prior to his death Mr Ellis had gone on medication and he improved. On the day of his death, Mr Ellis told his mother that he spent the previous night sleeping in his car outside Kirkham Police Station.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, the coroner described Mr Ellis as a 'very troubled young man' but did not have history of suicidal tendencies.

She said: "He had a long mental illness. The day before his death he told Kirkham Police Station he had done something very wrong.

"Given his background, it is highly unlikely he had done anything."