This Is Guernsey

Jacek Lipowski and wife Agnes. The father-of-two was found dead after a binge-drinking session to celebrate an imminent trip to see his family in Poland. (0601680)

BINGE drinking is a killer, islanders have been warned after a Polish hotel worker died from alcohol poisoning.

Jacek Lipowski, 31, died between 12.10 and 8.50am on 19 June after a heavy night of drinking with friends. He was found slumped against the bathroom door in his Les Canichers home. He had drunk approximately two litres of vodka. The father-of-two, who was due to return to Poland the next day to visit his wife and children, was out celebrating his impending homecoming and his former employer said his death was a tragedy.

Abbey Court Hotel owner Karen McBoyle made an emotional plea to islanders to take note of the dangers of binge drinking and learn from Jacek’s death.

‘For everyone who likes to party and binge drink, as Jacek had on a few occasions, take heed – be aware that that next party, when you have a lot too many, could be your last,’ she said. Mrs McBoyle’s warning to other binge drinkers was reiterated by Drug and Alcohol Strategy coordinator Andrea Nightingale, who said the unit always tried to keep people aware of the dangers of too much alcohol.

‘This story highlights the exact message we are trying to put across,’ she said.

‘Consuming a vast amount of alcohol in one session can have tragic consequences. We are constantly trying to give people the same message.

‘Under-age drinking, drink-driving and binge drinking can all have tragic consequences.’

Fortunately, incidents such as this fatality were rare.

‘If people can take note of it, then hopefully it won’t happen again,’ she said. ‘We have tried to keep people aware of the dangers that alcohol and drugs can have, not only to their families and the community, but also to their health. The implications to people’s health are huge.’

Chief Inspector Ruari Hardy extended his condolences to the family and friends of Mr Lipowski and said the incident was a reminder of the real danger of death if people drink to excess.

‘This case highlights that this could happen to anyone who takes the risk to binge drink to that level,’ he said.

‘They are putting themselves in serious danger.’

Mr Lipowski, who began working at Abbey Court in March 2007, had 415 milligrams of alcohol

per 100ml of blood when he was found. The limit for driving is 80.

Chief Insp. Hardy urged people to seek help, either for themselves or others, if binge drinking was a problem.

‘There are lots of places people can go for help before they get into trouble, either with the police or their health.’

He said organisations such as the Guernsey Alcohol and Drug Abuse Council and Drug Concern were available to help.