Man who once had 'great life' drowns in River Dart tragedy

A previously successful Devon businessman who became reliant on carers after suffering significant injuries from a suicide attempt, tragically ended his life after riding his mobility scooter into the River Dart.

Andrew Burgess, also known by his middle name Neil, was discovered in St Peter's Quay, Totnes, on March 27, 2023. The 55-year-old, who was born in Preston, Lancashire, and lived in Totnes, previously enjoyed a career as an analyst before becoming disabled, an inquest at Exeter Coroner's Court heard yesterday, December 10.

In a statement his brother, John Burgess, told how at the end of 2021, medical problems had been playing on his mind and took a toll on his mental health. The following year he was further troubled by relationship and work issues and was said to have slipped into psychosis.

Family members became concerned for his welfare and following an appointment with professionals, he made an attempt to end his life in May 2022 by stepping off a cliff edge in Torbay. He fell from a considerable height and suffered significant leg and foot injuries.

It left him having to use a wheelchair. While he recovered in hospital, there were further incidents of self-harm.

Prior to his suicide attempt, Andrew was described as a very active man whose hobbies included walking. His newfound lack of mobility was said to have caused him great frustration.

In the weeks before his death, it was confirmed he needed a another leg operation causing him further anxiety. On the morning of his death, a friend had been due to take him for a pre-op assessment but he was not at home when she went to pick him up and he had not been there when his carers came to help in the morning.

In a statement, she recalled Andrew had recently returned from a trip to London to visit friends, and that she had spent time with him the day before he died.

She said: "No one could have predicted what was about to happen."

A member of the public was reported to have come across Andrew's body in the water when walking along the River Dart near the Steam Packet Inn in Totnes. Another passerby called 999 and attempted to rescue him from the river but was unsuccessful.

Andrew and his submerged mobility scooter were recovered from the river. The medical cause of his death was confirmed as drowning. Toxicology tests were negative.

Police confirmed it was not known when Andrew had entered the water as there were no witnesses. At his home they found a copy of his will had been left out along with an end of life note that acknowledged he had enjoyed a 'great life' but it had become a 'diminished life'.

The inquest heard Andrew had been receiving support from his GP and from mental health professionals for three years, and was receiving weekly home visits.

He was last seen by the home treatment team on March 6, and was not visited again before his death due to being in London. He reported feeling overwhelmed and suicidal but said he did not have plans to act upon those thoughts.

Andrew was said to have not met the threshold for needing a Mental Health Act assessment.

His brother John expressed concerns to the coroner about the support available to suicidal people in Devon, and how families feel 'powerless' to help loved ones to get the help they need.

He said: "I understand mental health services are under a lot of pressure but it would have been really helpful to have got that assessment done early [before his first suicide attempt]. He was contemplating his life and we could see him deteriorating. We didn't know what to do."

Shatter the Silence

The DevonLive Shatter the Silence campaign aims to encourage anyone struggling to reach out and talk - to either a friend, relative, charity or a professional. Our campaign content will highlight just how important talking is and the difference it can make.

Ultimately, we want to reduce the number of people who die by suicide in Devon. We will highlight where to get help and show how talking has helped people come through difficult times in their lives. We will speak to families who have lost loved ones to look at the lasting impact of suicide and attempt to dismiss the inaccurate belief many people who are struggling manifest that they are a burden on the ones they love. We will look at the devastation caused to those left behind in the hope that even one reader might change their mind if they have considered taking their own life.

We will speak to people who have survived a suicide attempt and have accessed counselling or other mental health services to show that things can get better. We will speak to Samaritans volunteers about their vital work in Devon and how they are on hand 24-7 to listen. And we will offer guidance on what to say to someone who is struggling so people feel more confident to have that conversation.

Do you have a relevant story to share? Email emma.slee@reachplc.com.

WHERE TO GET HELP:

SAMARITANS offers support in a range of ways, including a self-help app, email support or by calling 116 123 for free 24 hours a day

NHS Offers advice on how to access mental health support

TALKWORKS is a free-to-access NHS service offering a variety of treatment and support for adults (aged 18+) living in Devon (excluding Plymouth)

CALM offer a free, confidential helpline 0800 58 58 58 and webchat, 7 hours a day, 7 days a week for anyone who needs to talk about life's problems

HUB OF HOPE is a mental health support database that can signpost you to local support services

ANDY'S MAN CLUB offers men a chance to talk with like-minded people. They have clubs in Devon as well as nationally

KOOTH & QWELL provides free, safe and anonymous online mental wellbeing support, including moderated peer support forums and text-based counselling, to all residents living in Devon (aged 11+)

PETE'S DRAGONS provide free-to-access support to all residents living in Devon who may have been bereaved by suicide at any point in their lives

THE MOORINGS is an emotional support service that provides telephone and face-to-face support via a drop-in service at its bases in Exeter, Barnstaple and Torquay. It is a non-clinical service but provides emotional support, signposting to other services and other general support that is tailored to the people who access it.

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Regarding the concerns they raised with mental health service before he died, he acknowledged that Andrew was a 'clever' man who was good at masking things from professionals but said communication could be improved between families and professionals.

He said: "He did need immediate care but it was not available, probably due to the strains of the system. He was obviously in a lot more distress than the team thought he was."

Assistant coroner Nicholas Lane replied: "It does not seem anyone could have really predicted the tragic events of March 27."

It was noted some 'configuration' and reassessing issues had led to some actions for learning by adult mental health provider Devon Partnership Trust.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Lane said: "It seems clear to me, very sadly he has considered and taken the action to end his life. It was a deliberate act to enter the water while using his mobility scooter but we don't know the time when that happened."