A MAN told a friend he intended becoming the first suicide victim to jump from the Gateshead Millennium bridge - hours before he threw himself off it and drowned.
A Newcastle coroner was told yesterday how Kevin Dormand, 43, who had alcohol problems and had left notes for members of his family, made no effort to reach a lifebelt thrown to him by police.
His body was found in the River Tyne a month later, and a post-mortem examination revealed he had drowned.
Michael Mcmann told yesterday's hearing he had met Mr Dormand in a Newcastle pub, on January 22.
Mr Dormand told him he had problems, had suffered a stroke and lost his job.
Mr Dormand, of Backworth, North Tyneside, had been treated for his problem.
Coroner David Mitford said several notes found at Mr Dormand's mother's house made it clear he was contemplating taking his life and he ruled accordingly.
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