A MUCH-LOVED father from Swindon took his own life a day after deliberately crashing into a lamppost, an inquest has heard.

Ryan James Partridge died on June 27 last year after a long battle with mental health issues.

An inquest, held at Salisbury Coroners’ Court on Tuesday, heard how in the early hours of the day before his death, Ryan had deliberately crashed into a lamppost at around 40-50 miles per hour while drunk.

The 22-year-old was arrested on suspicion of drink-driving, and told doctors that he had tried to kill himself in the crash.

Ryan, a labourer, was released but was found dead in his garage a day later.

The court heard that Ryan had joined the Army at the age of 17, but after finding out he was to become a father at Christmas in 2017, his mental health deteriorated.

His mother Leanne said in a statement read out by area coroner Ian Singleton that he started going AWOL from the Army and soon left the services.

“On Friday June 26, he had some friends over to our house, and one of his friends called me at around 0045 hours on Saturday morning,” she added, explaining that at first she declined the call, but answered as the friend kept calling.

“He said to me 'I’m sorry, Ryan’s been in a car accident'. I called the hospital, and found out he was there.”

Ms Partridge added that he had an argument with his girlfriend that evening, and was having troubles with debt.

In a statement to the inquest, South Western Ambulance Service described the collision with the lamppost as a “deliberate self-harm attempt”.

“It was estimated at a speed of 40-50 miles per hour based on the damage sustained.

“He was taken to Great Western Hospital where he was seen by Dr Dinngis, who noted that he was able to remove himself from the vehicle, and had no neck pain.

“At the time he refused to say why he wanted to kill himself. It was reported that Ryan had mental health issues.

“It was noted that he was conversing well, his airways were clear, and there was no sign of internal wounds.”

When Ryan, originally from Caerphilly, was released by police the following day, his parents spoke to him and agreed for him to return home to live with them, and for them to help him with his debts.

“He was very emotional and kept apologising,” Ms Partridge continued.

They dropped him to his flat, in Blunsdon St Andrew, at around 11.30am so he could collect some things, but almost six hours later, he had not been in contact and had ignored texts from his mother.

Ryan’s parents eventually let themselves into his flat, where they found a note he had left for them.

They called the police, who needed fire brigade assistance to open the garage door where he had hung himself.

Following Ryan’s death, his friends and family set up a GoFundMe page to raise money for a bench to be placed at Diamond Jubilee Park in his memory.

St Andrews Parish Council approved the plans in September, and minutes from that meeting showed that nearly £4,000 had been raised.

On the GoFundMe page, Alex Turner described June 27 as “the hardest day for the friends and family who knew Ryan”.

“Ryan was the [best] Son, Grandson, Brother, Father, Uncle and Friend anyone could ever ask for,” he added.

“Friends and family have all been in discussions and we would like to set up this go fund me page to contribute towards a memorial bench and to help give Ryan the best send off he deserves.

“We are currently in communication with the parish council for Red House in regards to this procedure.

“All contributions will go towards the memorial bench and to Ryan’s family.

“On behalf of Ryan’s family and friends we would like to say a huge thank you for all of your support and how lovely it is to see how many people cared so deeply about Ryan.

“Rest in Peace Ryan - Fly high Angel. Love you forever and always.”

Meanwhile, Ryan’s mother Leanne told the inquest that the family was very close, and he had a “close group of friends, and a wide group of friends from work and school”.

“He had grown up when he had a daughter, and took his responsibility seriously.”

Mr Singleton recorded a verdict of death by suicide.

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