A CORONER has recorded a verdict of suicide for a Worcester rugby player who travelled to Switzerland to kill himself in a euthanasia clinic.

Worcestershire coroner Geraint Williams said he had no doubt that Daniel James, 23, of Sinton Green, intended to end his own life when he visited a clinic run by the Dignitas organisation on September 12, more than a year after a rugby accident which left him paralysed from the chest down.

Mr James travelled to Switzerland with his father Mark and mother Julie.

At an inquest in Stourport-on-Severn yesterday his father described the moments before his son took the medication – a poison called pentobarbital – that killed him.

He said: “We went to a hotel in Switzerland which we had pre-booked. Then the people from Dignitas got in touch with us while we were there.

“We had to take Dan to see a doctor over there on two occasions. There had to be a break in seeing the doctor.”

“They had to interview Dan to find out that everything was as Dan said it was.”

There was a time and date booked for Mr James to then take the poison, which was prescribed by the doctor.

Mr James said: “The lady explained to Dan what was going to happen. She asked several times if that was his wish. She said if he takes this drink he will die. She asked did he want to proceed or have time to think about what was going to happen to him. He said no, let’s carry on.”

“The drink was brought and he drank it on his own,” said Mr James, adding that his son passed away peacefully.

When Mr James’ body was returned to England, a blood sample was taken to confirm how he had died.

Mr Williams said the poison levels were “of such a dose to be fatal”.

He said: “In light of information I have heard, I have no doubt of Dan's intention and therefore record the verdict that Daniel Mark James killed himself.”

Mr Williams also offered his sincere apologies to friends and family of Mr James.

After the hearing, a statement issued by the couple’s solicitor Adrian Harling on their behalf said they were still distressed following his death, but thanked everyone for their support.

Mr Harling said: “They are not campaigners fighting a cause for euthanasia or assisted suicide. They purely helped their son carry out his firm wish. They did help their son, as has been documented, but only after they tried to dissuade him. If he had not suffered from his disability they would not have allowed him to make that decision.”

The Crown Prosecution Service said on Tuesday it was not bringing charges against Mr and Mrs James for taking their son to Switzerland.