A FATHER has paid tribute to his son who died after falling from a balcony. At an inquest into 24-year-old Bradley Muskett s death last week, the coroner ruled that the former St Albans School pupil had died accidentally. Bradley, who was born and brought

A FATHER has paid tribute to his son who died after falling from a balcony.

At an inquest into 24-year-old Bradley Muskett's death last week, the coroner ruled that the former St Albans School pupil had died accidentally.

Bradley, who was born and brought up in Harpenden, had moved to his own fourth-floor flat in Clarkson Court, Hatfield, about a year ago.

He was discovered lying beneath the balcony of his flat by two police officers on June 27.

He was initially responsive but became unconscious when an ambulance arrived and despite attempts to resuscitate him he later died at the QEII hospital.

A post-mortem examination revealed a blood alcohol level of 110mg along with traces of cocaine and anti-depressants in his system.

Detectives searched Bradley's flat following his death but found no signs of any struggle or indication he wanted to take his own life.

His father David Muskett, who lives and works in St Albans, said this week that Bradley was a really loving son who made a point of always seeing his family.

Mr Muskett said that that he, along with Bradley's mother Jennifer Giddings, realised how central Bradley was to so many peoples' lives when between 200 and 300 people turned out for his funeral.

Mr Muskett said: "He was very popular and he was the life and soul of the party. He was a very positive person who was loved by all. He kept in touch with so many people which was testament to how many people turned up at the funeral."

Bradley, an only child, was a trained quantity surveyor with Balfour Beatty and he had just finished a BSc in construction and surveying at Westminster University.

Mr Muskett said that his son died before finding out that he passed his degree and, together with Bradley's mother, he would be collecting it for him in a couple of weeks.

He added: "He was very highly thought of in his company and he had a very bright future ahead of him."

Recording a verdict of accidental death, coroner Edward Thomas said there was no evidence to suggest that Bradley wanted to die. Mr Thomas added that the young man had "a lot to look forward to" and described his death as "unwanted and unwarranted".