Young dad set himself on fire at Turton Tower

10:27am Wednesday 20th February 2008

A YOUNG father committed suicide by setting himself on fire in his car near Turton Tower, an inquest heard.

The body of Mark James Pye, aged 28, of Campbell Court, Farnworth, was found in the burnt-out shell of his Hyundai Accent on September 3, 2007.

The car was seen smouldering in Witton Weavers Way, off Green Arms Road, Turton, by passer-by James Cahill as he and his daughter returned from a walk around Turton Tower.

The hearing was told that Mr Pye had been suffering from bipolar disease for the past 10 years and had attempted to kill himself with a drugs overdose at the age of 18.

A statement by his wife, Paula, was read to the Blackburn inquest. She said, at the time of his death, he was a devoted father to her nine-year-old son from a previous relationship and their three-year-old daughter. Mrs Pye was expecting another baby in October.

She said he had never talked about or attempted to kill himself in the five years they had known each other.

Coroner Michael Singleton said: "I am satisfied that Mark James Pye intended to bring about the end of his own life.