A WEST Belfast man who died after he was found in a caravan park in Co Fermanagh, could have possibly made a full recovery if he had received medical treatment more "promptly", an inquest into his death has heard.
James McGauran, from Kestral Grange in Dunmurry, died in May 2008 as a result of pneumonia and a head injury.
The 41-year-old lay for more than 16 hours on the ground at Castle Archdale caravan park in Irvinestown, Co Fermanagh, before he received help.
A member of the biking fraternity, the lab technician had gone to the caravan park to stay with three other friends after watching the North West 200.
The group started drinking at 8pm that evening and at 5.30am the following morning, the court heard there was "a bit of bother" between Mr McGauran and another man, Robert Kempton.
The row spilled outside the caravan and a short time later, Mr McGauran was seen lying on the ground, in bushes. A sleeping bag was later put over him.
The rest of the group left the caravan separately the following day, leaving Mr McGauran still lying outside.
He was not discovered until 10pm that night. Despite being taken to the Erne Hospital in Enniskillen, he died the following day from pneumonia coupled with a head injury. He had also sustained facial injuries and fractured ribs.
Medical experts told Belfast Coroners Court that some of the injuries were "consistent with having been punched".
Yesterday, Dr Stephen Cooke, a consultant neurosurgeon at the Royal Victoria Hospital, told the court that the victim had suffered "a blow to the left side of the skull".
"The nature of the fracture lines suggests it could have been a relatively sharp object," he added.
He said the fracture over time led to an extradural haemorrhage, which put pressure on the brain.
Dr Cooke revealed patients who suffer such an injury, if treated quickly, "can do well and sometimes make a full recovery".
"The quicker the operation is performed, the better the outcome," he said.
The court also heard evidence from Colin Preston, who was staying at a caravan at the park, who was the first to come to the aid of Mr McGauran.
He told the court only the victim's feet were visible when he approached the bush.
He described how when he found Mr McGauran, he was lying on brambles, had "facial injuries" and had "a lot of blood about him".
Mr Preston became upset as he told the court he "was unable to do anything" to save Mr McGauran.
The court also heard from Alan Nigel Grier, who had been staying at a nearby caravan, who described how he heard "raised voices" from the direction of the caravan where Mr McGauran was staying.
The hearing is due to continue today.
