Judge releases report into death of British soldier who had freak fall in bar

MEDICINE HAT, Alta. – An Alberta judge wants the province to ensure bars better track and limit alcohol consumption after a drunken British soldier died from falling down some stairs at a night club.

The judge also has harsh words in his inquiry report for the owner of Gringo’s bar in Medicine Hat, which witnesses said has a steep set of stairs that are dangerous even for sober patrons.

Stewart McAllister of Chorley, England, was stationed at CFBSuffield in southern Alberta when his training group was granted their first leave from the base on Oct. 23, 2008.

The inquiry heard McAllister drank enough beer and shots that night to give him a blood alcohol level of more than three times the legal limit.

Friends said he appeared fine and was walking back into the bar after a smoke outside when he fell down the stairs and hit his head on a concrete wall.

He died five days later in hospital.