Patient dies after falling from hospital roof in Swansea

Morriston Hospital, Swansea. PA Images.
The health board says the patient had been due to be transferred to another location. Credit: PA Images

A patient has died after falling off the roof of Morriston Hospital in Swansea.

Police had been called to reports that a patient had made their way onto the roof at 11.44pm on Friday, 16 August, with a specialist negotiator deployed to engage with the patient: a 58-year-old man from Port Talbot.

A statement from South Wales Police said: "We received a report that a patient at Morriston Hospital had made his way onto the roof of the building. Unfortunately, shortly after 3.20am the man jumped from the roof suffering fatal injuries."

It added that enquiries are on-going to establish the full circumstances of the incident, adding: "The force has since referred itself to the Independent Office for Police Conduct as is usual in such matters."

A Swansea Bay Health Board spokesperson said: "We are deeply saddened to confirm that there was a fatality at Morriston Hospital in the early hours of Saturday morning following the abscondment of a patient who was due to be transferred to another location.

"Police and fire brigade were in attendance but despite their efforts and those of our staff, the patient could not be saved."

They added: "We will be working closely with all relevant authorities to conduct a thorough investigation into what happened. This was a profoundly distressing incident for everybody involved and our heartfelt sympathies go out to the patient’s family and loved ones during this incredibly difficult time."

For help or support:

MIND

Mind is a mental health charity which promotes the views and needs of people with mental health issues.

It provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem, and campaigns to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

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CALM

CALM, or the Campaign Against Living Miserably, runs a free and confidential helpline and webchat – open from 5pm to midnight every day, for anyone who needs to talk about life’s problems. It also supports those bereaved by suicide, through the Support After Suicide Partnership (SASP).

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PAPYRUS

For practical, confidential suicide prevention help and advice you can contact PAPYRUS HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141, text 07860 039967 or email pat@papyrus-uk.org

Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. PAPYRUS aims to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives by breaking down the stigma around suicide and equipping people with the skills to recognise and respond to suicidal behaviour.

HOPELINEUK is the charity’s confidential helpline service providing practical advice and support to young people with thoughts of suicide and anyone concerned about a young person who may have thoughts of suicide.

HOPELINEUK is staffed by trained professionals, offering a telephone, text and email service.

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SAMARITANS

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  • Phone 116 123 (a free 24 hour helpline)

  • Email: jo@samaritans.org

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YOUNG MINDS

YoungMinds is a resource with information on child and adolescent mental health, but also offers services for parents and professionals.

It is the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health, and wants to make sure all young people can get the mental health support they need, when they need it

  • YoungMinds Textline - Text YM to 85258

  • Phone Parents' helpline 0808 802 5544 (Monday to Friday, 9.30am - 4pm)

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