Alcohol was a factor in the man’s death and the location of a piece of furniture may have also been a contributing factor.
That’s the findings of the BC Coroners Service in its investigation into a fatal fall from a balcony of a downtown Kelowna high-rise condominium.
No-one saw Brendan Anthony Burge, 24, fall from a fifth floor balcony during a St. Patrick’s Day party in March last year.
The coroner reports drinking games were going on, and after losing at least one game, Burge drank a combination of alcoholic beverages as a penalty.
He had also consumed several beer.
When some of the party-goers went outside to smoke, Burge said he was going onto the balcony for a few minutes.
“It was understood that he was feeling intoxicated and needed a moment. Mr. Burge was alone on the balcony when he was last seen,” says coroner Margaret Janzen.
A toxicology analysis found Burge had a blood alcohol level of .21 per cent which the coroner considers a heavy level of intoxication.
There was an outdoor couch on the balcony.
“The placement of furniture against the balcony railing may have been contributory as it reduced the height to the top of the railing but the manner in which Mr. Burge fell off the balcony is unknown,” states Janzen.
The death of the West Kelowna man was ruled accidental and the coroner made no recommendations.
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