A MALPAS pensioner fell 50ft to his death from a cruise ship in Croatia, an inquest heard yesterday.

Leighton George Carter, 71, was on holiday with his wife, two grand-daughters and their partners when the tragedy occurred on October 4, 2008.

Mr Jones, a retired insulation engineer and his wife Janice May Carter disembarked the ship whilst berthed in Dubrovnik and separated from their family, planning to meet later on their return.

The inquest at Newport Coroner's Court heard that the couple returned at 1pm and decided to split up an hour later to search for the rest of their family members.

Adrian Prangnell, a deputy security manager for the operator, said that at 2.45pm whilst the ship was in port a man overboard alert was issued and a rescue boat launched.

In a written statement Mr Prangnell said Mr Carter's body was recovered from the sea, having sustained a significant head injury.

Witnesses placed Mr Carter on deck 14 of the ship in a location near to the railings moments before his fall.

Gwent Coroner, David Bowen concluded that Mr Carter climbed onto on a sunlounger, whilst trying to peer over 44.5 inch high guard railings mounted on perspex barriers and onto the balconies of the cabins immediately below where his grand-daughters were staying.

In doing so, he said, Mr Carter lost his balance.

"His fall was unexpected and unintended," said Mr Bowen.

Doctor Majid Rashid, consultant pathologist for the Royal Gwent Hospital, Newport, concluded that Mr Carter died as a result of a fractured skull and spine due to trauma consistent with a fall.

Toxicology tests proved that alcohol played no part in the incident.

Mr Bowen recorded a verdict of accidental death.