A dad has told of his agony after his talented son died while on leave from a mental health unit. James Bennett, 26, achieved four A* grades at Hopwood Hall College in Middleton and was awarded a scholarship at the University of Salford, before his mental health deteriorated in the second year.
An inquest at Rochdale Coroners' court heard James was diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and sectioned under the Mental Health Act at Birch Hill hospital, Rochdale, in September 2021. On February 6, he was granted unescorted leave.
Just after 6pm, he was seen on CCTV walking down the train line at a nearby station, where he took his own life.
