Aspiring pilot, 22, who died by suicide felt unable to seek help
AN ASPIRING pilot killed himself because he believed seeking help for his depression would bar him from his dream career in the RAF.
An inquest heard that Kyle Tolley, 22, was in his final year of aviation engineering with pilot studies at Brunel University in west London at the time of his death in March 2016.
His suicide note, read out at West London Coroner’s Court, described years of suffering depressive episodes.
Mr Tolley, from Birmingham, wrote: “My dream career has zero tolerance to living with depression or having suicidal thoughts.
“If I had gone to the GP, depression would be scrawled all over my medical records and bar me from entering a cockpit for my whole life.”
Dr Sean Cummings, the West London assistant coroner, who recorded a verdict of suicide, was told Mr Tolley had never sought any help from doctors or counsellors.
There was no reference to any such problems in his medical notes.
He had also been preparing his dissertation at the time of his death, and had been at odds with his tutor, which his family said may have added to the pressure on him.
Speaking after the hearing, Michelle Tolley, the student’s mother, said: “From a young age Kyle showed he had above average intelligence and gained a place at a grammar school, King Edward VI Aston School in Birmingham, which he thoroughly enjoyed.
“Kyle had a real sense of loyalty. He was fun, loving, would do anything for anyone, had a great sense of humour and always wore a smile on his face.
“His favourite subject was history; however, his real passion and ultimate desire was to fly and he wanted to do this from a very young age.
“He focused on a degree subject to suit his future career of becoming a pilot, so chose aviation engineering with pilot studies at Brunel University.
“While studying at Brunel, Kyle joined the University London Air Force Squadron (ULAS), where he immersed himself in all the activities.
“He also continued to learn to fly with ULAS and undertook his first solo flight with them in 2015.
“In 2015, ULAS awarded Kyle the
Most Promising Pilot award.
“After his passing, they awarded him the Best Pilot Award.
“He was actively applying to join the RAF and had already passed a number of stages.”