A WIRRAL died after he slipped while jumping from a bridge in Australia, an inquest has heard.

Joshua Santos Christian from Hoylake lost his life after he slipped during a base jump from the Noosa Sound Bridge in Queensland, Brisbane on Sunday, March 24.

Liverpool Coroners Court heard today (Thursday, April 25) how the 32-year-old had lived in Australia for some time and had gone with friends to the bridge which is popular with tourists.

However, after one successful jump, he slipped and banged his head causing a fatal injury.

Emergency services were called when he failed to resurface and his body was recovered by police divers at around 6am, five hours later.

During the hearing, it was revealed that an Australian inquest gave his cause of death as drowning and “mixed drugs toxicity”.

Liverpool and Wirral coroner Mr Andre Rebello concluded that Mr Christian died accidentally by drowning following an “unsuccessful base jump”.

The body of Mr Christian has been brought back to the UK.

Mr Rebello released Mr Christian’s body for cremation at Landican Cemetery before extending his condolences to Mr Christian’s family who were not in court.