A FORMER casino worker died after accidentally falling off the edge of a quarry, an inquest heard.

Andrew Thompson, 33, who had a history of mental illnes and had previously taken an overdose while working as a croupier in Manchester, fell to his death at Lee Mill Quarry in Bacup.

But East Lancashire coroner, Richard Taylor, said there was nothing to prove he had taken his own life and Mr Thompson appeared to have always sought help for his problems.

Mr Thompson, of Maden Road, Bacup, had left his job in Manchester to come back home to live with his parents and was employed at Booze Busters, when the accident happened on May 14, last year.

His father, David, told the inquest that Andrew, who also had a degree in archaeology, had left the house just after 1pm on the day he died.

Andrew, who was taking anti-depressants, had gone to Lee Mill Quarry, in Bacup, a place he knew well and had camped there as a youngster, his father said.

Mr Thompson said: "He liked the solitude of the quarry.

"He went walking up there and would not be frightened of sitting on the edge of the quarry.

"Whenever he had a problem he made us aware of it and he would want tests done. He complained occasionally of seeing bright lights and stars and he wanted that sorted out.

"He had a 10-year history of mental health problems and he suffered depression in that time. However, there had been several years of relative normality."

His parents told the inquest that at the time of the accident they did not know of any problems in Andrew's private life.

The inquest, held at Burnley Magistrates' Court, also heard from Tom Hayhurst, who was riding his friend's motorbike in the quarry and had seen Andrew sitting on the edge of the highest point, at about 3.15pm.

Mr Hayhurst could only see Andrew's legs swinging on the edge and went further down to get his friend to show him. When they got back, Andrew had gone from the edge.

He was found at the bottom of the quarry and paramedics were called but they could not revive him.

A post mortem examination found he died from multiple and severe injuries. Mr Taylor said: "I can find no evidence he took his life.

"While we have heard that he had certain difficulties I am told by you that one of the main things he wanted to do was make sure he was okay and that happened throughout his life.

"He was very keen on seeing his doctor. He was a talented young man who had difficulties but on that day had just gone out for a walk."