Nathan Cunliffe was just 28 years old when he died after being hit by a train
The heartbroken partner of a man who died after he was hit by a train said she still struggles to think how their sons will grow up without their dad. Nathan Cunliffe, from Warrington, went missing from his home for five days during Christmas 2021 after being known to mental health services since September 2018.
He was found sleeping rough and taken to A&E before being transferred to Hollins Park Hospital in Warrington where he was sectioned under the Mental Health Act 1983. But on January 11, 2022, Nathan absconded from hospital when he climbed over an eight food garden fence.
The 28-year-old’s body was found on the railway line between Hollins Park and Warrington Bank Quay. After Nathan’s death, his partner Lauren Sayburn instructed Irwin Mitchell to investigate, Cheshire Live reports.
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An inquest jury in February this year concluded Nathan died from suicide. It also identified that there had been an insufficient risk assessment of the garden at the hospital, as well as an inappropriate staff-to-patient ratio within the area.
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Lauren, 30, has now launched legal action against the hospital trust. She’s using Suicide Prevention Month to raise awareness of mental health issues and campaign for improvements to help those who need the support and prevent future deaths.
Ayse Ince, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing Lauren, said: “The past two-and-a-half years have been incredibly difficult for Lauren as she tries to come to terms with losing Nathan so tragically and suddenly. While the inquest found issues with the garden area at Hollins Park, Lauren continues to have a number of questions over what happened to Nathan and the care he received prior to his death.
“We’re determined to investigate Lauren’s concerns and provide her with the answers she deserves so all lessons possible can be learned to improve patient safety. People with mental health illnesses are some of the most vulnerable in society and should always receive the highest standard of care and support.”
Nathan was employed as a scaffolder for many years. Prior to his death, however, he had been mostly working in short-term jobs. Following his initial contact with mental health services in 2018, he had further contact between November 2019 and January 2020.
He was admitted to the Austen Ward at Hollins Park Hospital on 30 December 2021. He was found dead less than two weeks later. Lauren said: “It’s approaching three years since we lost Nathan but the pain we feel over his death still feels as raw as it did back then.
“I still struggle to think how our boys will have to grow up without him by their side helping them to navigate through life. When Nathan began struggling with his mental health, it was awful and I wanted him to get all the help he needed. I’ll never forget how I felt being told he had died. My whole world fell apart and life from that moment has never been the same nor will it be again.
“I know nothing will ever bring Nathan back, but I would hate for anyone else to go through what we are. I hope by raising awareness, if it helps one person, then Nathan’s death won’t have totally been in vain.”
A Mersey Care NHS Foundation Trust spokesman said: “Our sincere condolences go out to the friends, family and loved ones of Mr Cunliffe following this tragic incident. The Trust fully investigated Mr Cunliffe’s care whilst an in-patient at Hollins Park Hospital and following his death, as previously reported, identified a number of areas where the service could be improved.
“Appropriate action has been taken to address these, including adding anti-climb fencing and reviewing care practices. We are unable to provide any further comment as we do not want to prejudice any claim against the Trust.”
