Rossendale ‘thrill seeker’ died in tragic accident (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Rossendale ‘thrill seeker’ died in tragic accident

2:16pm Thursday 11th February 2010 in

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A GRADUATE who was looking forward to setting up his own business accidentally hanged himself while seeking an adrenalin rush, an inquest heard.

Calum Chattwood, 22, died after the stunt went wrong in the conservatory of the house he shared with his mum and dad, Burnley Coroner’s Court was told.

The thrill-seeker, who had previously taken part in sky dives and bungee jumps, had looked up how to perform the ‘adrenalin noose rush’ on the internet.

He was found dead at the house in Curven Edge, Helmshore, on October 28, by a friend who was picking him up to visit another friend at Huddersfield University.

Dad Donald Chattwood, who was on holiday with his wife Julie at the time, told the inquest: “Calum had done paintballing, sky diving and bungee jumps before, and when trips to Alton Towers were arranged he was always first to say he would go.

“He really wanted to go and see his friend in Huddersfield and said how much he was looking forward to it.

“He had no worries at all about finances or jobs or girls or anything like that, there was absolutely no reason to want to kill himself.”

Mr Chattwood told the hearing he had an ‘inkling’ that Calum had done the stunt previously when they were on holiday.

Calum’s friend had tried to call him several times on the evening of October 27 and the following morning, but had got no answer, so he went to the house, where he found the back door open. He went in and discovered Calum hanging from the ceiling by a rope.

Mr Chattwood said: “Calum was somebody who loved computers, they fascinated him.

"He had studied computers at school and college and did a software engineering degree at university.

“He had talked about going into a computing business with his friend and was always fixing computers for his friends.”

Calum, who worked as a lifeguard in Rossendale, was planning to go to a summer camp with his sister Jenna this year.

Deputy coroner Mark Williams recorded a verdict of accidental death.

He said: “It is clear to me that Calum was happy and had no reason at all to want to do that (kill himself).

“He was a thrill seeker and this looks like a tragic accident.”