An inquest has heard that a young racehorse worker died after a cigarette is thought to have ignited a blaze in his vehicle. Hugh Mulryan, 25, was found dead inside his burnt-out Volkswagen Passat near Malton, North Yorkshire.
Mulryan had moved to Ryedale from County Galway, Ireland, just two days before to start a new job with racehorse trainer Adrian Keatley. He was discovered dead in the early hours of June 16 last year, following an evening at a pub in Malton where he met Keatley to discuss his new role.
Collision and discovery
The inquest at Northallerton Coroner's Court was told Mulryan drank four or five pints of Guinness but did not appear intoxicated when he left the pub at about 10pm on June 15. Coroner Jonathan Leach said alcohol detected in his system was "just over" the legal drink-drive threshold.
About an hour after leaving the pub, Mulryan was involved in a collision with a Vauxhall Astra carrying a couple holidaying from Merseyside. Passenger John Kavanagh told the inquest Mulryan had travelled the wrong way round a roundabout before striking the car, which was being driven by his wife Nora. Nobody was injured, and Mulryan left the scene. Kavanagh described him as being "remarkably calm" after the crash, which led him to suspect he had been drinking.
Several hours later, officers found Mulryan's Passat completely ravaged by fire in a lay-by at around 4am. Firefighters doused the remaining flames before his body was found inside the car. His death was confirmed by police at 7.30am.
Investigation and cause of death
An investigation by North Yorkshire Fire and Rescue Service concluded the fire had started accidentally in a front footwell. Station manager Anna Atkinson-Spragg told the inquest it was probable that a cigarette had made contact with something combustible inside the vehicle, such as seat belts or foam from within the seats. It could not be established whether Mulryan had been asleep when the fire broke out. Atkinson-Spragg noted the vehicle was parked in an "extremely rural" location, meaning the flames were unlikely to have been spotted from a main road.
Coroner Leach ruled Mulryan's death as accidental and recorded the cause of death as smoke inhalation.
Career and tributes
Despite his age, Mulryan had built an impressive career in the racing industry. He had worked with trainers Denis Hogan and Sir Mark Prescott, as well as Baroda Stud in County Kildare, before moving to England. A spokesperson for Baroda Stud revealed Mulryan had also been studying law alongside his work, describing him as "such a great chap" and "very smart". Hogan had previously told the Racing Post that Mulryan was destined for a "very bright future", adding: "He could have done anything he wanted, but was just so keen on horses."
