Man who died in Fritton Woods struggled with health fears

Brian Allen, from Bradwell, was found unconscious in Waveney Forest near Fritton Lake on April 27 after telling his family that morning that he had to leave the house.

An inquest into his death revealed tragic details of the weeks leading up to his death at the age of 66.

The Norfolk Coroner's Office heard that Mr Allen, a retired accountant, had led a healthy life and therefore rarely visited the doctor.

But in the last weeks of his life, he began to worry about his health after attending an NHS health check which revealed high blood pressure.

He was asked to monitor the levels at home, which showed lower levels, leading to the assumption that this was white coat syndrome – a phenomenon in which discomfort at the GP leads to higher levels.

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A few weeks later, he developed a sore throat and feared it might be cancer. He was referred to ENT specialists who ruled this out, but he continued to worry and began to suffer from insomnia.

On April 22, he was referred to social services and was scheduled to attend an appointment on May 1, a few days after his death.

In a statement read out in court, his family said: “He was a man who was constantly on the move and hated not being able to go out.”

“He was a loving family man who loved being in the country, walking his dog and tinkering around the house.

“He loved life.”

Chief Medical Examiner Jacqueline Lake concluded that it was a suicide.

• The Samaritans can be reached around the clock on 116 123.
• The NHS First Response Service is available 24 hours a day on 111 and offers a Mental Health option.