A beloved father died after he was knocked out with a single punch outside McDonald’s.
Wayne Chester, 50, died in hospital after he was punched to the side of the face on September 29.
An inquest heard he had been drinking with friends and watching a band in Maidstone, Kent.
They went to McDonald’s after leaving and passed a group of youths at the entrance to the restaurant.
Coroner’s officer Richard Smith said: “They left at 10.30pm and passed the same group of youths.
“Words were said and Mr Chester tried to ignore it but turned around to reply to the group.”
Credit controller Mr Chester was then punched and fell to the floor unconscious, the inquest heard.
Mr Smith said: “Mr Chester had a faint pulse and was put on his side. The pulse reduced and became non-existent.
“He was still breathing and CPR was carried out as paramedics arrived.
“The faint pulse returned after 45 minutes and he was taken to King’s College Hospital.”
Hospital medics tried desperately to save Mr Chester but his life support machine was switched off at 7.20am on Saturday, September 30.
A post mortem revealed the cause of death as hypoxic brain injury with a secondary cause of blunt force trauma to the head.
A 16-year-old boy has been charged with Mr Chester’s murder and will stand trial at Maidstone Crown Court on April 9 after pleading not guilty.
Mr Chester’s inquest was adjourned and will reopen when a date has been set by the coroner.
His family described him as an “amazing dad” and “huge character” and called him their “very own Mr Brightside”