Man who died in Doncaster bridge fall was missing friends and concerned for job over lockdown

Computer inputter Stephen Longley, aged 46, had been working from home at his flat on Tennyson Avenue, Armthorpe, his devastated father, also called Stephen, told an inquest in Doncaster, in a written statement.

His dad said Stephen was worried about losing his flat, believed people were talking about him, and had been affected by the death of his mother several years ago. He had also been affected by a failed relationship, and suffered back problems after an injury at work 11 years ago.

He was also worried about issues relating to the coronavirus pandemic.

His father’s statement said: “Due to Covid, he was working from home and clearly missing his friends.

It added: “He was worried about his job because of the pandemic.”

Mr Longley senior had tried to reassure his son about the security of his flat, and believed he accepted it was safe.

He had no history of psychiatric illness. Mr Longley senior said at no point was there an indication his son wanted to take his own life.

But on July 10, Mr Longley was seen by a walker, Belinda White, crossing a bridge near Conisbrough. They exchanged greetings. Mr Longley ‘fussed’ her dog, the inquest heard.

Bethan Martin, jogging with her father, found Mr Longley’s body at the foot of the bridge, near the path. He called emergency services as she looked for signs of life.

Pc Michael Allen, who attended the scene, said Mr Longley had the word ‘sorry’ written on his left hand.

Recording a suicide verdict, Doncaster assistant coroner Louise Slater said Mr Longley died of multiple injuries. She said he clearly had a good relationship with his family, who could have had no idea what he planned to do.

She said: “The situation he found himself in was working remotely, which a number of people have struggled with, that new working due to the pandemic. I appreciate he was worried about his flat situation, and Mr Longley senior did all he could to reassure his son.”

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