Engineer was killed by gas from exhaust

4:30pm Monday 12th March 2001

AN engineer gave no suicidal clues to family before he locked himself behind security gates at work and killed himself with fumes from his van.

An inquest heard James Butcher, aged 48, of Eltham, died listening to the radio as a hosepipe, connected to the exhaust, pumped in poisonous carbon monoxide.

WPC Yvonne Benson told Southwark Coroner's Court she found Mr Butcher in a unit at Marlow Business Estate in Batavia Road, New Cross, on December 2, last year.

She had heard an engine running and the fire brigade was called to cut through the padlock.

The policewoman said: “It was very smoky. There was a hosepipe, attached to the exhaust with string and sticky tape, going into the passenger window, which had a blanket inside.”

Mr Butcher's son David said the family had no warning he was planning to take his own life.

Pathologist Dr Peter Jerreat said he found no signs of a third party being involved and there were no signs of disease. He said Mr Butcher inhaled a fatal level of carbon monoxide.

Coroner Selena Lynch recorded a verdict of suicide and told the family: “I am quite sure Mr Butcher made a deliberate choice and didn't want to be found.

“He felt that you would all be better off without him.”