A BOLTON holidaymaker has died after plunging eight storeys from his hotel room in Thailand and landing on the bonnet of a car. Stephen John Bolton, aged 35, of Grasmere Avenue, Little Lever, suffered multiple injuries but survived the fall. However, the Inland Revenue employee later died in hospital after undergoing emergency surgery. His death - more than four weeks after the fall - is believed to have been caused by a blood clot. North Manchester District Coroner Mr Barrie Williams is now writing to hospital authorities in Thailand for further medical evidence about his death. An inquest was open and adjourned yesterday until more information is available.

Chess-loving Mr Bolton, a former pupil of Bolton School and a chemical engineering graduate of Sheffield University, had gone to Thailand with a friend, who also enjoyed chess. The two friends travelled to the Thai resort of Pattaya in October.

Mr Bolton's funeral will be held at West Chapel, Overdale, tomorrow. He is survived by his parents, three brothers and one sister.

Giving evidence of identification at the inquest opening, his younger brother Gary, of Claydon Drive, Bradley Fold, said Stephen had been due to return home on November 8. After news of the accident Gary flew out and was told by British Embassy officials that his brother had fallen eight storeys from his hotel and landed on the bonnet of a parked car.

Mr Bolton told the coroner: "Although Stephen was on a respirator he had been conscious enough to tell Embassy officials it had been an accident. I was very impressed with the care he was given in Thailand."

But on his return home he received a telephone call informing him that Stephen had died. His brother's body was flown home and a post mortem examination carried out to confirm the eventual cause of his death was pulmonary embolism due to deep vein thrombosis. Coroner Mr Williams said further medical evidence was needed.

Mr Bolton was a keep fit fanatic, who enjoyed running and visiting the gym. He lived alone. His death has stunned neighbours and friends. A neighbour said: "He was a very nice person. Everyone got on so well with him. This is a terrible tragedy."

Converted for the new archive on 14 July 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.