Worlington chef told told his family to forget him, inquest hears

A chef who killed himself by running in front of a lorry on the A11 had left a note asking family and friends to “forget about me”, an inquest has heard.

Philip Adams, 32, who had battled depression, and been upset about not seeing more of his young daughter, was struck by the Royal Mail lorry at Chalk Hill, Barton Mills just before 3am on June 7 last year.

An inquest on Tuesday at Suffolk Coroner’s Court in Ipswich heard lorry driver, Richard Barnard, had swerved as Mr Adams appeared in the middle of the road but was unable to avoid an impact.

Mr Adams, who lived and worked at the Worlington Hall Hotel, died at the scene after suffering severe injuries to his skull and chest.

The inquest heard that although Mr Adams, who had turned down the chance of a trial for Lincoln City FC because he wanted to become a chef, had suffered with depression and had debts, there had been no indications that he was at risk of self harm.

In a statement, Joanne Hammick, his former partner, and the mother of his young daughter, said that he had taken the job at Worlington to be closer to his daughter in Norfolk. The night he died, Mr Adams had sent Ms Hammick a text message in which he said: “I’m at the end of the road now. One day you will see that all I did was for you.”

Coroner Nigel Parsley said that notes discovered in Mr Adams’ room at the hotel made it clear that he had intended the outcome of his actions. In one he said : “I’m sorry but forget about me. Life is too short to dwell on me.” In another, he spoke of the joy his daughter had brought him but said he did not see enough of her. The inquest heard he had told his mother, Susan, that his job would allow him to pay off his debts within a few months and that he was happy.

Forensic collision investigator, Richard Godden, told the inquest that the area where the collision took place had no normal access for pedestrians, was unlit, and Mr Adams had been wearing dark coloured clothing.

Recording a conclusion of suicide, Mr Parsley said “I don’t think we will ever know why Phil did what he did.”

After the inquest, Mrs Adams said of her son: “He was larger than life. He was an integral part of our family and was much loved and will be really, really missed.”