A 45-year-old double amputee died after taking a combination of drugs, an inquest has heard.

Nicola Jane Donnelly died at her home in Apartment one, Benjamin Court, Slater Street in Bolton on March 24.

The 45-year-old was found unresponsive in her bed by a support worker and was pronounced dead by paramedics.

Miss Donnelly was suffering from long term health issues and had both her legs amputed.

Witness statements from the family read out by Prof Dr Alan Walsh at Bolton Coroners Court, stated Nicola had ‘got in with the wrong crowd and started to use drugs'.

The Bolton News:

Dr Walsh said: “Her family could not get in contact with her, and she would only contact them if she wanted to borrow money.”

Six years before her death, Miss Donnelly had her leg amputated and was with her partner, who died two years ago due to drugs.

And 18 months ago, the other leg was amputated, and support workers were helping her.

Dr Walsh said: “Her mother died six weeks before her, and Nicola suffered but would not let her family in her life, but if she had come to them, they would have been happy to help.”

Three days before her death, Achieve, a drug and alcohol support service had tried to contact Miss Donnelley as she had not picked up her medication.

Julia Riddles from Achieve went to the house and found Miss Donnelley in her bedroom.

Pathologist, Dr Ravindra Sawant gave the cause of death as combined toxicity due to morphine and methadone in great amounts.

In her home, police officers found a pack of medication, a syringe, other empty medication bottles and a razor blade.

Police ruled out any third-party involvement and suspicious activity in regard to Miss Donnelley’s death.

Dr Walsh said: “Nicola suffered devastating consequences of drug taking and was also an amputee.

“She was someone who has received medical care from her doctor and support from drug services and her family, who were there and willing to help.

“I am greatly saddened that Nicola had led a difficult life which had worsened by the use of drugs.”

The cause of death was concluded as  combined toxicity in a drug-related death.