A resident at a York hostel died despite the best efforts of staff, police and paramedics to save him.
An inquest today (Monday) heard that Bryan Clements, 32, was found hanging in his room at the Peasholme Centre for homeless people on Fishergate, on 12 June 2021.
A member of staff couldn’t find a pulse and used a defibrillator and CPR to try to revive Mr Clements. A police officer then tried CPR before paramedics arrived and took over.
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However they were unable to save Mr Clements, and pronounced him dead at 2.01pm.
A post mortem gave the cause of death as hanging and ‘multiple illicit drug misuse’. Toxicology tests found heroin, cocaine and methadone in his system, as well as diazepam and pregabalin, used to treat anxiety.
Together, these would have had a “detrimental effect” on his cognitive state at the time of his death, a report by pathologist Dr Craig Bratten found.
In previous consultations with health staff, Mr Clements had expressed suicidal thoughts.
Where to get help
When life is difficult, Samaritans are available – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123. And the following organisations also offer advice and help
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Where to get help
When life is difficult, Samaritans are available – day or night, 365 days a year. You can call them for free on 116 123. And the following organisations also offer advice and help
Samaritans is available for anyone struggling to cope and provide a safe place to talk 24 hours a day.
Phone: 116 123
Visit the Samaritans website
SOS Silence of Suicide provides a listening service For children and adults who need emotional support, understanding, compassion & kindness.
Phone: 0300 102 0505
Visit the SOS Silence of Suicide website
Shout is a 24/7 text service, free on all major mobile networks, for anyone struggling to cope and in need of immediate help.
Text SHOUT to 85258
Visit the Shout website here
HOPELineUK offer support, practical advice and information to young people considering suicide and can also offer help and advice if you’re concerned about someone you know.
Phone: 0800 068 41 41
Visit the Papyrus website
CALM, the campaign against living miserably is a suicide prevention charity that offers free, anonymous and confidential support via their helpline and webchat for anyone who is in crisis.
Phone: 0800 58 58 58 (daily 5pm-midnight)
Visit the CALM website
Lifeline provides support to people suffering distress or despair in Northern Ireland, regardless of age or district.
Phone: 0808 808 8000 (24 hours a day)
Visit the Lifeline website
Community Advice & Listening Line offers emotional support and information on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.
Phone: 0800 132 737 (24/7) or text “help” to 81066
Visit the Community Advice & Listening Line website
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide exists to meet the needs and break the isolation of those bereaved by the suicide of a close relative or friend.
Phone: 0300 111 5065 (9am to 9pm daily)Visit the Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide website
But in his last face-to-face meeting with a care coordinator on 9 June, although he showed signs of anxiety, he denied having suicidal thoughts and was planning for his future, the inquest was told.
Jon Heath, senior coroner for York and North Yorkshire, gave a narrative conclusion to the inquest.
He said there were no suspicious circumstances surrounding Mr Clements’ death.
“I am satisfied that Bryan did take his own life,” he said. However, to give a conclusion of suicide, he would also have to be satisfied that he intended to do so.
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Given the amount of drugs in Mr Clements’ system may have had “a significant detrimental effect upon his cognition”, the coroner couldn’t determine with any certainty that he intended to take his own life.
Mr Heath offered his condolences to Mr Clements’ family.
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