Wem man killed by drinking too much water

Peter Andrew Smith, known as Andrew, from Wem, is believed to be the first person in Shropshire for more than 20 years to suffer from polydipsia, which causes excessive thirst. He died at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital after collapsing on October 28.

Mr Smith was taking prescription medicine that made him thirsty but his family said they never knew the risks of excessive water intake.

They today paid tribute to him as a popular and hard working man and said they had been left shocked by his death.

Mr Smith was managing director of J P Smith & Sons Ltd, a haulage company based in Wem set up by his grandfather in 1925.

The former Cockshutt Primary School and Thomas Adams School pupil leaves his mother Vera, 70, father Gerald, 83, daughter Emily, 18, and brother Robert, 46, as well as wider family. A younger brother Jonathan, has also died.

His mother said Andrew was a very proud father and had a very happy childhood in Wem.

She said: "Andrew had lots of exciting times. He met his former wife Helen at Thomas Adams School and when they left school they both joined the family business. The business grew and with his dad and brother they transformed it. He was a very outgoing young man."

She said he was well known and well loved in the area and his death has been a great shock to the whole family.

Robert Smith said Andrew was a 'very good brother' and they were close, but none of the family was told about the risk of polydipsia.

He said: "None of us were aware that could happen.

"He was taking tablets which naturally made him thirsty and mum mentioned to the doctor on October 8 that he was drinking a lot but they didn't even mention it then."

His funeral will be held at Wem Parish Church on November 16 at 2.15pm followed by a family service at Shrewsbury Crematorium. Instead of flowers donations can be made to Midlands Air Ambulance or the ITU at the Royal Shrewsbury Hospital.

By Dani Wozencroft