A dad from Bolton died after falling off a motorway bridge.

Alan Dennison, 55, of Park Road, Westhoughton, died on October 12 last year on the M61.

Bolton Coroners Court heard how Mr Dennison, who was a father, jumped off the St Helen’s Road bridge onto the M61 after attending Royal Bolton Hospital earlier the same morning.

Senior Coroner Timothy Brennand said Mr Dennison was a sufferer of paranoid schizophrenia.

In October last year, it was noted that his mental health had deteriorated and he had not been taking his anti-psychotic medications since June of that year.

On October 11, his community psychiatric nurse met with him and noted him to be anxious, paranoid and agitated.

He agreed to recommence his medication at a planned visit on October 13.

However, at 9.38pm on October 11, Mr Dennison contacted emergency services, stating that he had self-harmed using a knife to stab himself, but that the wound had healed.

He then told staff he was struggling with his mental health.

Paramedics were then requested to attend at his home, with the situation being given a "category 3" response, meaning an ambulance should be there within two hours. 

Due to operational pressures, an ambulance was not sent to his address. 

The following day, he attended the Royal Bolton Hospital at just after 6.30am, where he reported feeling thoughts to take his own life.

However, within 15 minutes he left the hospital and was seen by passers by walking along Plodder Lane in an "erratic" manner.

At approximately 8.35am, Mr Dennison was witnessed climbing over the railings on the St Helens Road bridge over the M61 and jumping down onto the carriageway below.

Despite attempted resuscitation by members of the public and paramedics, his injuries were "unsurvivable" and he was pronounced dead at the scene.

Royal Bolton Hospital pathologist, Dr Ravindra Sawant, gave his medical cause of death as polytrauma.

Mr Brennand gave a narrative conclusion into Mr Dennison’s death.

He said: “Alan Dennison died as the consequence of multiple blunt force impact injuries as a result of deliberately jumping from a motorway bridge in circumstances where his intentions remain unclear, being affected by a supervening phase of paranoid schizophrenia.

“I have been struck by the care and compassion of onlookers at the scene before them.

"Members of the public, when faced with something as difficult and horrifying as the events this case has heard, they stopped and attempted to give first aid and liaised with the emergency services.

“This was a case of significant impact because the M61 is a major arterial route, and one that attracted a significant amount of publicity.”

Mr Brennand also accepted Dr Sawant’s medical cause of death.

If you're struggling with your mental health or are in crisis, you can call Samaritans free of charge on 116 123 - they're available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

You can also find support on their website at www.samaritans.org.