‘HOSPITAL SHOULD NEVER HAVE ALLOWED DOM OUT’

26-year-old died after jumping on to A500

FORMER warehouse worker Dominic Rushton jumped to his death from a bridge over the A500.

The 26-year-old died instantly when he was struck by a lorry near the junction with Shelton Old Road in the early hours of June 30.

An inquest has heard Mr Rushton had previously been detained under the Mental Health Act after years of poor health, including paranoia and psychotic episodes.

Now his mother Vanessa Johnson says her son should never have been allowed out of hospital.

In a statement, she said: “In March 2019, Dom’s mental health deteriorated beyond control. He was having psychotic episodes.

“I telephoned the emergency services and Dom was taken to

Harplands Hospital. After a few days Dom escaped. He telephoned me and said he was going to find a bridge and I told him not to be daft.

“Due to him escaping on two occasions, Dom was placed into the secure unit at the hospital for his safety. I strongly believe Dom should not have been allowed out of the hospital.”

The inquest heard Mr Rushton, who lived in Hartshill Road, Stoke, had a Mental Health Act assessment at 11am on June 29, 2020 at Harplands Hospital, in Hartshill.

He had been transferred there from the Royal Stoke University Hospital’s accident and emergency unit.

Harplands consultant psychiatrist Dr Raman Mittal told the inquest: “Between March 2019 and June 2020 his engagement was sporadic.

“Other times he would not respond to a phone call. It wasn’t very consistent engagement, but there were not any concerns raised by Dom that he would present a risk to himself and others.”

North Staffordshire assistant coroner Margaret Jones ruled that Mr Rushton committed suicide.

She said: “Dom was seen on local cameras. He walked to the bridge and appeared to fall quite deliberately in front of a lorry.

“The indications are that he died instantly. I have to conclude that Dom took himself, that he intended to take his life, and that it did take his life.

“It is clear, from those events, that Dom did intend to take his own life.”

She added: “The deceased had a history of drug abuse and mental health problems.

“He had been suffering psychotic health episodes.”