Josh Clayton was 'smashed' at party on night he went missing
- Published
Josh Clayton was missing for 10 days before his body was found
A holiday island bar manager whose body was pulled from the sea had been "smashed" at a party on the night he went missing, an inquest has heard.
The body of Josh Clayton, 23, was found on rocks near Tresco in the Scilly Isles following an eight-day search.
The inquest - expected to last a week - heard Mr Clayton's blood-alcohol level was 2.5 times the drink-drive limit.
He had attempted to leave the party in a golf buggy, the inquest at Plymouth Coroner's Court heard.
More from the inquest, and other news
The search started for Mr Clayton, from Taunton, after he went missing on 13 September 2015.
His body was discovered 10 days later by a French yachtsman.
'Out of character'
Tom Leeper, barrister for the Clayton family, said other witnesses at the party said Mr Clayton was only "a bit drunk".
He told the inquest one witness had described Mr Clayton as "his normal affectionate self" on the night of the party.
Coastguards, police dogs, divers and a helicopter were involved in the search along with local people and holidaymakers.
Mr Clayton's disappearance was described as "out of character" at the time.
Pathologist Dr Russell Delaney said he found blood on Mr Clayton's T-shirt but no sign of an attack on him, and no sign of drugs.
The inquest continues.