A Farnham Royal man died when he accidentally fell down a flight of stairs at a hotel in Ibiza, a coroner has ruled.

Benjamin Walter had “consumed alcohol and cocaine” at some time prior to the fall, an inquest into his death was told.

The 48-year-old financial advisor was believed to be trying to get to the rooftop bar at the Hotel El Puerto on the Spanish Island at the time of his death.

Crispin Butler, the senior coroner for Buckinghamshire, ruled Mr Walter, of Blackpond Lane, died from fatal head injuries on a 7th floor landing of the hotel when he fell at around 01.19am on the morning of June 8 last year.

Mr Butler said the floor Mr Walter had been found on gives access to the hotel bar and pool, but was not an area which would be supposed to be accessed by customers.

“There appears to be evidence described from security cameras that Ben may have been wandering around the hotel with signs of intoxication prior to the fall. There was a pair of flip flops near but not on Ben’s feet”, Mr Butler said in a written inquest.

“It was the view of the forensic expert, Dr Juan Ramon Sancho Jaraiz, that Ben had probably become disorientated and accessed a non public area of the hotel.

"Whilst trying to overcome obstacles on the staircase, with possible impaired balance and wearing insecure footwear he has fallen and fatally struck his head.

“Toxicology testing demonstrated Ben had consumed alcohol and cocaine at some time prior to the fall, which corroborates security camera evidence that Ben may have been intoxicated.”

A statement provided by Ryan DeCosta, a friend of Mr Walter, indicated views “about why Ben might have been in the area where he fell trying to get to the rooftop bar”, the inquest heard.

Mr Butler added: “There is a red and white chain at the bottom of the stairs which looks to be there to be able to section off the access to the stairs. We do not have any evidence as to whether this was in use or played a part in Ben falling.”

The coroner said CCTV footage revealed that Mr Walter’s body had been found just over two hours after he fell and that he had subsequently been repatriated to Buckinghamshire for his funeral.