A 95-YEAR-OLD man died from ‘multiple severe injuries’ after jumping out the window of his flat in Blackburn, an inquest heard.

Retired joiner Reynold Briggs took his own life at his flat in Hornby Court, Lancaster Street, on May 22 after leaving notes on a table, Blackburn, Hyndburn and Ribble Valley coroner Michael Singleton concluded yesterday.

In a post-mortem examination, Dr Richard Prescott, consultant pathologist at Royal Blackburn Hospital, found incisions in Mr Briggs’ wrists and these were believed to be self-inflicted, the coroner was told.

The hearing was also told that Mr Briggs suffered a haemorrhage in the lining of his brain and bruising.

Giving evidence, Stephen Grainger, a friend of Mr Briggs, described the ‘terrible’ moment he came round to the flat to see Mr Briggs.

He said: “I went into the flat, looked in the bedroom, the bathroom and the living room, but there was no sign of Reynold.

“There were two pieces of paper on a table next to the sofa and I recognised them as his handwriting.

“When I found them, I was shaking. I went to the window I had seen, which was wide open, to look out and all I could see were a pair of slippers on the ground.

“I called the police and ambulance and with paramedics I found Reynold lying there outside.

“It was terrible.” Looking back on some of the things he said beforehand it seems weird, he took me to places like where he moved to when he was 10 and places of memory like Ewood Park, he was a big Rovers man.

Mr Briggs, originally from Kirkby, Merseyside, was due to move into accommodation at Lindon House in Blackburn on June 1.

Also attending the inquest at Blackburn Enterprise Centre were cousins Vera Wear and Joan McCabe.

Recording a verdict of suicide, Mr Singleton, addressing Mr Briggs’ family, said “The medical cause of death was multiple injuries after Reynold jumped out of a window of his flat in Hornby Court.

“It is clear that he sustained severe injuries which I would class as being non-survivable.

“I have seen notes that he left which suggest he was of sound mind and it was his wish to bring an end to his life.

“I am satisfied that what led to his death was suicide.

“It seems to me that Mr Briggs had had enough.

“It seems he realised he could not care for himself and he was unable to contemplate the thought of moving to other accommodation.

“There is an obvious shock though that comes with this death and you have my deepest sympathy.”