Last updated at 11:34, Thursday, 23 February 2012

A man who died in hospital after being revived by a friend who found him hanged at home killed himself, a coroner has ruled.

Robert Appleby, 24, of Main Street, Cleator, was found last July by relatives and a family friend.

Immediate life-saving treatment was given by friend Thomas Seward, who did CPR until police officers and paramedics arrived.

However, Mr Appleby, who was known as Bobby, sustained fatal brain damage and died at West Cumberland Hospital days later.

Inquest coroner David Roberts recorded a verdict that Mr Appleby, who was found hanged, took his own life.

A goodbye note for his family written by Mr Appleby was found at his home.

His family and friends were completely shocked by his death. They described him as “a happy-go-lucky lad”.

A post mortem concluded that Mr Appleby died as a result of brain damage. A toxicology report also revealed that Mr Appleby had a small amount of cannabis in his system at the time of the incident, on July 22 last year.

Mr Seward added that Mr Appleby was a “Good lad, he looked out for his sister and he was a quiet lad”.

The inquest heard that Mr Appleby was the oldest of five children, his parents had split up when he was younger and he lived with his father.

His father John Appleby told the inquest: “He kept himself to himself, he didn’t have many friends.”

Mr Roberts concluded saying: “The fact of the matter is that there was a note left at the house by Bobby. I conclude that he took his own life.”

First published at 11:25, Thursday, 23 February 2012
Published by http://www.newsandstar.co.uk