A WOMAN died after throwing herself off Tennyson Down shortly after a passer-by phoned the police with their concerns.

'Strange behaviour' by artist Annette Jane Lewis, 55, had been witnessed by several people on July 31, 2019.

The inquest heard she had been distressed in the run-up to her death, and had been seen twice at St Mary's Hospital within a few hours.

She had requested checks for a couple of medical concerns but there were no obvious mental health concerns at the time.

According to her husband, Mrs Lewis was upbeat and happy that there was nothing seriously wrong.

The inquest heard that later in the day, without leaving a note or explanation, Mrs Lewis went up to Tennyson Down and 'began to behave very strangely'.

She was witnessed by members of the public at around noon, to be in acute distress, talking to herself, screaming and singing, and taking off her clothes.

The police were called, but Mrs Lewis threw herself over the edge.

Her body was retrieved by the coastguard after a search by Needles and Ventnor Coastguard Rescue Teams, Yarmouth RNLI Lifeboat, Freshwater Independent Lifeboat, and HM Coastguard’s helicopter from Lee-on-Solent.

The cause of death was severe multiple traumatic injuries and Coroner Caroline Sumeray concluded an open conclusion.

The following organisations offer free and confidential support over the phone:

Samaritans -116 123 24 hour support, every day of the year www.samaritans.org

Papyrus  0800 068 41 41 Monday to Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to 10pm or Text 0778 620 9697 – prevention of young suicide www.papyrus-uk.org

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) – 0800 58 58 58, 5pm – midnight. Dedicated to preventing male suicide www.thecalmzone.net

Mind - 0300 123 3393, 9am - 6pm, Mon - Fri (except Bank Holidays). Advises on a range of mental health issues www.mind.org.uk  

Young Minds - 0808 802 5544, 9.30am - 4pm, Mon - Fri. Supports any adult worried about a child’s welfare www.youngminds.org.uk

The Mix - 0808 808 4994, 2pm - 11pm, Mon - Sun. Helpline for people under the age of 25 www.themix.org.uk

 

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