Tragedy of doting grandad 'profoundly' affected by fall

A 'DOTING' dad with 'so much to live for' tragically took his own life months after a devastating fall which changed him 'profoundly, an inquest heard.

- STEPHEN TOPPING

Steven Thomson, known as Steve, battled with 'episodic' mental health issues during his life and was described at Bolton Coroners Court as 'vulnerable! But the 62-year-old, from Salford, became 'frail' and began needing a walking stick following a fall - while he became 'overwhelmed' by medical appointments.

Police found that Steve sent a message to a former partner to say he was 'going to catch a train and he would see her in heaven, moments before his death at Eccles railway station on March 9.

The court heard that Steve had a longstanding' dependency on alcohol which was associated with episodes of anxiety, low mood and depression - but he never received a formal mental health diagnosis.

Steve's mental health issues were said to be triggered by 'stressors' dating back to childhood, with alcohol used as a 'coping mechanism, although his intake had reduced over the years.