Blackburn pensioner jumped to his death on motorway (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Blackburn pensioner jumped to his death on motorway

12:10pm Friday 15th June 2012 in Blackburn

A PENSIONER suffering from depression jumped 130ft from a motorway viaduct and was found dead in woodland below, an inquest heard.

Retired structural engineer Jeffrey Barry, 69, of Livesey Branch Road, Blackburn, was found on Monday, April 2, in Stanworth Woods, directly below the M65 viaduct, near junction three.

At an inquest into his death at Blackburn coroner’s court, coroner Michael Singleton found that Mr Barry had died of multiple injuries sustained in the fall.

Mr Singleton recorded a verdict that Mr Barry had killed himself while the balance of his mind was disturbed. Mr Barry’s wife, Margaret, a retired nurse, said her husband had been suffering depression for two years.

He had first been diagnosed on April 7, 2010, and was taking anti-depressants.

Workers carrying out safety inspections on the road on behalf of the Highways Agency had spotted Mr Barry’s silver Honda CRV and were concerned that there were no pedestrians nearby.

Police and paramedics were called at noon and suicide notes signed by Mr Barry were found inside the car.

Mr Barry, originally from Rochdale, was confirmed dead at 1.14pm.

Mrs Barry said she thought her husband’s problems had started after the death of his step-cousin.

She said: “He tended to be a worrier but it stepped up a gear after the death of Catherine.”

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