THE mother of a man who died following a pub brawl has told an inquest; 'it was the fight that killed him - not the cocaine and alcohol.'

Benji Bolsenbroek, who was 23, died after a fight involving 20 people in the Park Hotel, Linthorpe, Middlesbrough in October, 2013. He had been celebrating the birth of his son.

At the inquest at Teesside Magistrates Court forensic pathologist Peter Cooper said Mr Bolsenbroek had died as a result of "rigorous exercise" in the brawl but also as a result of alcohol and cocaine.

Mr Bolsenbroek's mother, Rose, questioned the pathologist saying her son died as a direct result of the fight and that was what should be focussed on.

One witness described the brawl, which involved people throwing chairs and pool balls, as "like something from the Wild West."

A police officer confirmed Mr Bolsenbroek was involved and would have been arrested if he hadn't collapsed.

Acting deputy coroner Karin Welsh recorded a narrative verdict, meaning there was no single, simple reason for the fatality.

She accepted that Mr Bolsenbroek had the 'sickle cell trait,' which can cause serious health problems.

But she concluded that the vigorous exercise during the disorder in the hotel and the cocaine and alcohol Mr Bolsenbroek had taken contributed to the death.

The Northern Echo: Benji Bolsenbroek's mother, Rose, outside court

After the inquest Mr Bolsenbroek's mother, Rose, said the family would "fight on." She believes that her son's sickle cell trait, which largely affects African people, was not properly understood.

"She argued that the fact that Mr Bolsenbroek's was pinned down and unable to breathe during the fight triggered the sickle cell problems in her son's body.

She said: "I go to Ben's grave every day and everyday I tell him 'I will get you justice'."