An ex-primary school headteacher committed suicide just days before Christmas, an inquest has heard. Simon Tonge, who was headteacher at Spring Hill Community Primary School in Accrington, died on December 2 last year.
Simon, of Clarendon Gardens, Bromley Cross, had struggled with his mental health for some time and felt a lot of pressure from his job as a headteacher, Bolton Coroners' Court heard. He also had 'problems with alcohol', according to family members present at the hearing, and Covid lockdowns made him become 'very stressed', they said. The death of two school colleagues and an illness to his father also added to his stress.
In 2020 the 50-year-old left his role as headteacher and made attempts to quit drinking by going to rehab. He worked for a community housing group and managed to do well with controlling his drinking at first but later relapsed.
READ MORE: Tributes paid to 'hero' dad who died hours after ‘crying and pouring his heart out’ out to family
His sister, Michelle Tonge, told the inquest that Simon met with one of his daughters on December 16 for a walk around a park and he seemed like his 'normal self'. He was planning a family meal for the end of the month and said that he would 'be in touch'.
Michelle spoke to him again on the 19th when he said he had been sick off work. He had been given the antidepressant drug mirtazapine to help him sleep but he now had struggles focusing.
She messaged her brother the next day but became worried when he did not reply. She visited his house two days later where emergency services were called on a concern for welfare, and Simon was found dead in his property.
Michelle told the court that he'd never spoken about harming himself. He also never told anyone about an intention to commit suicide despite his mental health struggles.
Dr Ravindra Sawant, who carried out the post-mortem on Simon, said that while mirtazapine was found in his system, this was at a 'therapeutic' level. However, his blood alcohol was 220mg per 100ml, which is nearly three times over the legal drink driving limit of 80mg per 100ml.
GP Dr Charles Gadallah spoke at the hearing and said that he first had a telephone consultation with Simon on December 8 where he asked if there was anything he could be given to help him sleep. During the conversation with the GP, Simon also said that he had problems with stress and anxiety which he 'didn't deal with well'. Dr Gadallah also spoke to him about the 'Achieve' group in Bolton who help people struggling with alcohol.
The doctor prescribed Simon a low dose of mirtazapine, asking him to book a follow up appointment in the coming weeks. The role of mirtazapine in Simon's suicide was played down during the hearing, especially when it was revealed by Dr Gadallah that Simon was on a low dose of the drug.
Professor Alan Walsh gave a narrative conclusion, saying: "He had a large amount of alcohol in blood and was nearly three times over the drink drive limit. There was also mirtazapine but this was at a low dose.
"He was successful as a headteacher dealing with complex children but that caused a lot of stress. His stress and anxiety was also increased by the death of colleagues during his time at school and he was also concerned for his father's illness.
"He clearly resorted to drink when he was in periods of stress. Simon didn't cope with stress very well. He could go days without drinking but then would binge.
"On December 16 he went for a walk in the park with his eldest daughter who said he was back to his normal self, he was also planning for the future. There were indications that he had plans for the future and he had no previous indications of self harm.
"On December 20 he was probably suffering with some stress and had a substantial quantity of alcohol and had no contact with anybody. I'm not satisfied he was capable of making a proper judgement to end his life and believe he was under the influence and alcohol was a major factor.
"He didn't leave any messages that he intended ending his life and the family thought he would if that was the case. His intentions at the time remain unclear.
"He should be remembered for the good things in life, working as a teacher, and then his charity work. He had more to give."
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT
-
Mum who had to ask cashier to stop scanning items left dumbstruck
-
Abuse survivor speaks of grooming horror during fiery debate over damning report
-
Couple on TUI flight thrown from seats after hearing 'loud bangs' as emergency alert issued
-
'It's a great relief knowing my daughter's murderer has been wiped off this earth'
