Nurse took his own life because he was terrified of working on Covid frontline

A nurse who struggled to cope with the pressure of the coronavirus pandemic threw himself off a bridge over a dual carriageway, an inquest heard.

Julian Curley, 51, found his frontline job ‘scary’ and had also been badly affected by relationship troubles.

As friends and family grew increasingly worried about his wellbeing, his sister and brother-in-law drove him to a mental health assessment on July 14 last year.

But as the car stopped at a roundabout on the A50 at Burnaston, Derbyshire, he jumped out of the vehicle before anyone could stop him.

He refused to come back and paced along a bridge before saying ‘sorry’ to his sister, climbing over the railings and falling to his death.

Mr Curley, had been a nurse for more than 20 years and was working with the theatre team of Queen’s Hospital, Burton, Staffordshire, throughout the pandemic.

Derby Coroner’s Court heard how he ‘clearly had difficulties in his life’ in the months before his death, including struggling with a relationship change and a ‘number of issues relating to Covid’.

Training Detective Constable Alex Hathaway told the inquest: ‘Julian had a job in the NHS and when Covid started he was struggling and found it quite scary in his front line role. All his issues came together to cause how he felt.’

Only hours before his death, police had been called to Mr Curley’s home after his family became worried about him.

Two officers attended and spoke to him, took away a knife found hidden in his bedroom and referred him to mental health services a Royal Derby Hospital for immediate support.

During the inquest, some family members questioned why the police had not taken Mr Curley to the hospital themselves.

His sister, Dawn Brint, said if loved ones are responsible for taking vulnerable people for support, then police should ensure all measures are put in place to prevent them fleeing a vehicle, including making sure a child lock is on.

But Derbyshire assistant coroner Mrs Tanyka Rawden said she was satisfied the officers who were called to check on Mr Curley had done everything they could to help him.

She said they went ‘above and beyond’ and that neither had any reason to suspect he would attempt to harm himself after they left.

The coroner recorded a conclusion that Mr Curley, who died of a head injury, had taken his own life.

Derbyshire Police confirmed it had followed procedure and offered its condolences to the family.

A spokesperson said: ‘Officers do, on occasion, transport people to hospital when no other form of transport is available and where they do not necessarily require an ambulance.

‘In cases where someone can be entrusted to the care of their family for a journey to hospital then this is the preferred option.

‘The patient will often feel happier with their own family and by not undertaking that journey, police officers are then able to attend other incidents where members of the public need help.

‘Our thoughts are with Mr Curley’s family and friends at this time.’

Following the inquest, executive chief nurse at the University of Derby and Burton Hospitals Trust Cathy Winfield said: ‘We were all deeply saddened to learn of the tragic passing of Julian last year, which I know came as a huge shock to us all and impacted the whole UHDB family.

‘Julian was a friendly, likeable, funny and caring individual, who always managed to light up a room whenever he was in it.

‘He was also well known for his compassion, kindness and calm approach to everyone he met, traits that have meant he is still dearly missed by those who knew him.

‘The wellbeing of our staff will always be among our very top priorities as a trust, never more so than in the last year, where our colleagues have dedicated so much in the fight against Covid-19.’