PARAMEDICS, accused of 'not trying hard enough' to help a man who fell 50ft from a tree, were commended by the coroner.

Denis Slater, 31, of Rishton, died after plunging from the top of the tree in the pine woods near Dean Reservoir, Great Harwood.

The inquest was told paramedics had to abandon their ambulance and continue on foot as they struggled to get to Mr Slater as he lay on the floor.

His father, Kenny Slater, accused paramedics of not trying hard enough and questioned why it had taken 90 minutes to get his son to hospital.

But coroner Michael Singleton commended the paramedics and other members of the emergency services for their efforts on behalf of the deceased.

He said: "I am often awe-struck by the efforts of the emergency services and on this occasion I commend them for their efforts on behalf of Dennis.

"The fact they were unsuccessful does not take away any of the credit that should go to them.”

Friend Robert Walsh told the inquest he had arrived in the pine woods about 4am and there were about 12 to 15 people already there and everybody was drunk.

He climbed up one of the tall trees and Dennis had climbed up another tree to about the same height.

Mr Walsh told how he climbed down the tree and a few minutes later heard a branch snap high up and then Dennis fell.

The emergency services were alerted and Goldacre Lane was blocked by a padlocked gate.

Paramedics took equipment from the vehicle and continued the uphill journey on foot.

The fire brigade also attended and cut the chains on two gates so the ambulance could get as close as possible.

Paramedic Simon McRory told the hearing: "We could not have got there any quicker."

He said that when they arrived at the scene he and his colleague were subjected to a torrent of verbal abuse by men in the group.

By that time Mr Slater had stopped breathing and there was no cardiac output.

He was taken to hospital by the police helicopter where he was pronounced dead.

Recording a verdict of accidental death, Mr Singleton said the first call had been made at 5.02am and by 5.42am advanced life support was being provided.

“All indications are that by that time life was already extinct,” said Mr Singleton.