A FATHER-OF-FIVE who collapsed on a bus and later died in hospital had suffered drug problems, an inquest heard.

Michael “Mick” Roche died on Friday, April 10, at the John Radcliffe Hospital after collapsing on a bus in the city, Oxford Coroner’s Court heard yesterday.

A report from the coroner’s office said the 52-year-old fell to the floor of the bus at 1.02pm and onlookers attempted CPR.

Mr Roche, of Lenthall Road, Oxford, died after doctors at the JR were unable to resuscitate him.

According to his GP, the Rose Hill resident had a history of alcohol and drug dependency and was fitted with a pacemaker after a cardiac arrest in 2008.

Toxicology reports showed a “medicinal” amount of mephedrone in his system, thought to have contributed to his death.

It was thought that having abstained from taking mephedrone his body no longer had a tolerance for it.

Assistant coroner Peter Clark ruled that Mr Roche’s death was drug-related.