Coroner records an open verdict on man who set himself on fire (From Warrington Guardian)

Coroner records an open verdict on man who set himself on fire

A MAN who suffered from depression throughout his life died after turning himself into a human fireball in Milton Park, Alsager.

David Tyson Glass, aged 36, from Lawton Road, Alsager, died on June 3 last year after dousing himself in an accelerant in toilets by the park.

Denise Armitage witnessed the incident when she was driving along Crewe Road, and noticed smoke coming from behind trees.

She said: "When I stopped at the lights, I looked to see where the smoke was coming from. I saw a walkway and what I thought was some sticks on fire in the middle of the path.

"When I looked back it was moving and stood up. I pulled up off the road to make sure I had seen what I thought I'd seen.

"I rang 999 on my mobile and there was a lady coming off the car park by the church and I said 'I think I've seen something but I don't want to go back on my own'.

"The lady on the phone asked if I could put him out, but I said it was too bad and tried to explain that when he stood up he was totally engulfed in flames."

Mr Glass had been detained at Leighton Hospital under the Mental Health Act numerous times, and had tried to commit suicide.

His family had a history of depression, and his mother and younger brother had both committed suicide.

The inquest heard Mr Glass could not bear to be from the side of his wife Carol Ann for more than a few minutes, and told her he was fed up of fighting his depression and felt people around Alsager had it in for him.

But Mrs Glass said on the day he died he was in good spirits and went to the shops for his tea, but never returned.

Deputy Coroner for Cheshire Janet Napier said: "I can't be 100 per cent certain he intended to take his own life because he had so many ups and downs mentally.

"Therefore I return a verdict that David Tyson Glass died of third degree burns, and I record an open verdict."