An INSURANCE company has paid tribute to a worker who accidentally fell over a bridge in Swansea on his way home from a company day out at Chepstow races.

Neil Rumsey, 30, was taken on a "Top Ten Day Out" as a reward for good performance by leading insurance company Admiral.

But an inquest heard how Neil drunkenly "stumbled" 40ft to his death after being dropped off at a railway station after the day at Chepstow racecourse.

Admiral manager Gerald Phelps told how popular Neil and his colleagues began drinking before the races, through the day and then planned to go to an "after-party" celebration in a bar.

But the inquest heard he double the drink-drive limit when he fell off the bridge.

Phelps said: "He was very well liked in the department where he worked, no-one had or has now a bad word to say for him."

He told how 90 staff from the Admiral offices in Swansea went on the firm's "Top Ten Day Out" to Chepstow Races in May last year.

He said: "It was a reward for winning an inter-departmental performance competition.

"The group stopped for a drink or two in a pub outside Chepstow before going to the races with staff paying for their own drinks."

The inquest heard all had one complementary drink at the racecourse plus a free buffet then paid for their own drinks during the day.

The insurance staff then had a bus back to Swansea where some staff were due to go to the Walkabout bar for an "after party".

The hearing was told Neil had "a spat" with a colleague after he dropped a bottle of wine. Mr Phelps said: "He seemed to get very upset but it was just a flash in the pan."

Mr Phelps said Neil walked alone towards the station to "get a train home." But he never saw him alive again.

Passer-by Christine Healing said: "I could see a man on the bridge, he swayed and looked as if he'd had a drink...the next minute he'd gone over."

"He wasn't upset or anything like that, it just happened so quickly. He was there, then he was gone."

Stuart, of Burry Port, near Carmarthen, died from multiple injuries at Swansea's Morriston Hospital.

Coroner Colin Phillips viewed CCTV images - and said it was "more of a fall than a deliberate leap".

Investigating officer PC Rhys Thomas, said there was no history of depression. Post mortem tests showed Neil had drunk approximately twice the legal limit of alcohol for driving and his system was free of any drugs.

Swansea coroner Mr Phillips recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: "This has been a bit of an alcohol led day and he'd consumed a quantity of alcohol.

"That could have been a contributing factor. It was a stumble more than a fall and it resulted in a terrible accident."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.

After the hearing, an Admiral spokesman said: "This was a tragic accident and our thoughts continue to be with Neil's family. He was well liked and is very much missed by his friends and colleagues."