A MAN who suffered with his mental health died on the A303, an inquest heard.
Thomas Batsford, known to family and friends as Tom, died aged 39 on April 14, 2025, after he was hit by a vehicle on the A303 near Mere.
An inquest into his death was held at Wiltshire and Swindon Coroner’s Court in Salisbury on Friday, February 13, heard by senior coroner David Ridley.
Mr Batsford lived on his own in Mere and was working as a retail assistant before he died.
A report from his doctor, whom he had seen just a few days earlier, was read to the inquest.
It stated: "I did not detect any risk to self or others during the consultation. He told me his mood was up and down, but he was not suicidal."
Mr Batsford had been diagnosed with schizophrenia in 2002, and he had previously suffered from psychotic episodes.
The inquest heard a statement from Mr Batsford's mum, Mrs Clark, who said she was protective of him and that he had tried to take his own life on a number of occasions before.
The statement said Mr Batsford smoked cannabis most days with his friends, and on the day he died, there had been a disagreement over money.
The inquest also heard from Detective Constable PC Bell, who investigated the incident.
He said footage showed Mr Batsford leaving his mum's house at 10.45 pm, and other Ring doorbell footage from the area captured a man on his own, suspected to be Mr Batson, walking toward a bridge over the A303.
The vehicle that hit Mr Batson was driving west along the A303 when it struck Mr Batson, who had fallen from a bridge above. The driver said he pulled over and performed CPR, but it was not successful.
In conclusion, senior coroner David Ridley stated: "I find this was a deliberate act initiated by himself, and there was no one else present on the bridge with him. I therefore conclude that this was a suicide."
If you would like any help with bereavement, loss or mental wellbeing, here are some helpline numbers:
Call the Samaritans on 116 123 or go online at samaritans.org
Child Bereavement UK 0800 028 8840 childbereavementuk.org
Cruse Bereavement Care 0808 808 1677 cruse.org.uk
Survivors of Bereavement by Suicide (SOBS) 0300 111 5065 uksobs.org
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