Man may not meant to have killed himself

IT WAS not clear whether a man who set himself on fire at a Redditch roundabout intended to kill himself, an inquest heard.

Gordon John Hopkins died on April 19 at Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham after the incident on the island at Studley Road, close to Hillcrest where he was a patient.

Deputy coroner Marguerite Elcock returned a narrative verdict at the 47-year-old's inquest last Thursday (September 13).

She said: "The question of his intent remains unclear, it being unclear whether he intended to take his own life or whether this was an act designed to cause harm but not result in death."

A spokeswoman for Worcestershire Heath and Care NHS Trust, which runs Hillcrest, confirmed results of an investigation following Mr Hopkins' death had been reviewed. But she was unable to confirm what the investigation had found before the Standard went to press.

"We extend our condolences to the family for their loss. Our thoughts are with them at this difficult time," she added.

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