An inquest into the death of Phil Campbell was held at St Pancras Coroner’s Court

A WELSH rock star died from multi-organ failure after suffering complications from necessary surgeries at the Royal Free Hospital, an inquest has heard.

Motörhead guitarist Phil Campbell, who was a member of the band which helped pioneer heavy metal music in the UK from 1984 until it disbanded in 2015, died aged 64 on March 13.

Assistant coroner Dr Richard Brittain told St Pancras Coroner’s Court on Friday that Mr Campbell’s death could not have been prevented.

The guitarist, from Pontypridd, underwent two liver transplants and bowel surgery at the Royal Free earlier this year. The hospital’s liver transplant department is internationally recognised for its work in the field.

The inquest heard that Mr Campbell had a history of drinking alcohol to “excess” but at the time of his death had been sober for seven years.

He was described as having had a “fully active life as a musician” and had been receiving care for cirrhosis in Cardiff. He had also previously suffered from hepatitis C but this had been treated.

A scan taken in Cardiff in the autumn revealed cancer on his liver, prompting his care to be moved to the Royal Free.

Coroner Dr Brittain said: “This was thought to be the best chance of a cure for his cancer.”

At the Royal Free, Mr Campbell underwent the first of two liver transplants. He experienced significant blood loss and following the transplant there were signs that the new organ was not functioning properly.

The court heard that he was then put on the NHS super-urgent liver transplant waiting list for a second transplant, returning to theatre on February 27.

“It was recognised he was going into the operation exceedingly unwell and with multi-organ failure,” Dr Brittain told the court.

“However the transplant team looking after him at the time thought that he wasn’t too sick to be retransplant futile and they thought it was more appropriate to proceed.”

Following the second transplant, Mr Campbell developed sepsis and a bowel infection. He underwent another operation to remove his large bowel and parts of his small bowel before being moved to intensive care where his condition deteriorated rapidly over the following hours.

He died in hospital on March 13 with coroner Dr Brittain recording his cause of death as multi-organ failure.

Todd Campbell, who was in court, raised questions from the family about his father’s care at the Royal Free.

Dr Brittain said: “Overall it was felt his death was not avoidable. In my view there is nothing here that suggests that his death would have been prevented.”

At the time of his death, Mr Campbell’s family described him in a social media post as a “devoted husband, a wonderful father and a proud and loving grandfather known affectionately as ‘Bampi’.”

They added: “He was deeply loved by all who knew him and will be missed immensely. His legacy, music and the memories he created with so many will live on forever.”

Motörhead was founded in 1975 by bass player and singer Ian Kilmister, known as “Lemmy”.

The band had a string of top 10 albums including 1980 hit Ace of Spades.