A ‘FIT and healthy’ engineer was found dead in his car, an inquest heard.

An inquest into the death of Jamie Adrian Macmillan, of Forest Walk in Buckley, heard how he was in good health prior to his death and displayed no indications of mental health difficulties.

In a statement his wife Samantha – whom he married in 2004 – said he was in good spirits in the weeks and days leading to his death.

She said Mr Macmillan loved cars, having owned three, and it was not uncommon for him to sit in his Porsche in the garage and listen to the radio with the engine running.

They last spoke in a telephone conversation on Friday, November 23, when Mr Macmillan had planned to pick his wife up from her parents on the Saturday afternoon where they would watch a film together and then pack for their upcoming holiday.

It was heard how he also went out to buy some euros when he had finished his shift that day.

In the statement it was said that Mrs Macmillan did not believe her husband had taken his own life because it ‘wasn’t him’.

She believed he had fallen asleep while listening to the car radio while the engine was running.

His dad Michael Macmillan said: “He was in very good health and I couldn’t detect any problems. His attitude was good and he was always laid back and he had a good outlook on life. I wasn’t aware of any problems in Jamie’s life.”

At the inquest, held in Ruthin, it was heard how Bethan Jones, a neighbour for 12 years, was woken at about 5am on November 24 to the noise of a car revving excessively.

She initially thought the car was being stolen after a recent theft but upon leaving her house she could smell strong fumes and it was clear the noise was coming from inside the garage, which was blocked by Mr Macmillan’s two other vehicles.

Ms Jones said when she stepped outside the revving stopped and she heard the ignition being tried another three times.

Out of concern she contacted North Wales Police officers who tried to force their way into the garage.

Due to the extra security measures, fitted by Mr Macmillan, who was described as being ‘security conscious’, police were unable to gain entry to the garage or the home.

They eventually gained entry through the rear door and went through to the garage where they found Mr Macmillan in the car.

Ms Jones added: “I have never smelt anything like it before. I’ve never seen anything that gave me cause for concern.

“At times I think he could be quite a nervous chap but once he got to know you, he would open up a bit more. I couldn’t have had better neighbours; they were fantastic really.”

After attempts of CPR and a defibrillator Mr Macmillan was taken to Wrexham Maelor Hospital.

John Gittins, coroner for North Wales (East and Central), said post mortem results showed a fatal level of carbon monoxide as well as an alcohol level of more than 200mg which is three times the legal driving limit.

There was no evidence of other drugs and no trauma to the body.

Brother Daniel Macmillan said: “When he had a few drinks he would say he lacked confidence in himself. In hindsight, Jamie shouldn’t have been starting cars in a confined space.”

Mr Gittins said he was unable to reach the relevant threshold to confirm either an apparent act of self-harm or an accident.

He said Mr Macmillan appeared to be a fit and healthy 44-year-old man with no apparent problems and he was due to go on holiday.

He also came home from work, had something to eat and watched a film.

He added: “It’s clear also from the evidence put before me that him going into his garage and sitting in his Porsche and starting it up, essentially revving the engine was not out of the ordinary.

“On the other side of that I have evidence which indicates to me that this is a very confined space in which he was doing that.

"He did so with what appears to be an open window which again supports there not being a sterile environment."

Mr Gittins added: “Miss Jones is very clear when the engine stopped, he must have been awake because she hears him trying to turn the engine over and restart it on three occasions.

“He does so in circumstances with a considerable amount of alcohol in his body at the time. It may well have impaired his thoughts.

"It’s for all of those reasons, the conflict of evidence, that I don’t feel able to reach the threshold of saying this was suicide or this was an accident.”

Mr Gittins, with ‘a degree of regret’, recorded an open conclusion.

He also thanked Miss Jones and the police for their efforts to preserve life.