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By Andy Whelan
A man jumped to his death from a dual carriageway bridge after visiting an accountant to discuss his debts.
Robert Howard had met with a loan company hours before he leapt off the footbridge just east of the A27 Shoreham flyover.
An inquest at Worthing today heard how the 29-year-old had struggled to repay two loans.
Mr Howard, of Bedford Row, Worthing, was also unhappy because he had moved house from Shoreham.
David Standing told how he witnessed Mr Howard, who was smoking a cigarette, let go of the metal railings and fall onto the road.
Police found Mr Howard's car near the spot he jumped from. The key was still in the ignition and his passport was inside.
Motorist Ameldia Joel was driving on the A27 and had to slam her foot on the brakes to stop her car from hitting Mr Howard's body.
The Sussex Police helicopter based less than half a mile away at Shoreham airport was sent to the scene.
Mr Howard was taken to Worthing Hospital where he died at 1.24pm, almost three and a half hours after jumping from the bridge.
Coroner's officer Lyn Ralfe said Mr Howard had attended an appointment in Portslade earlier that day to discuss his money worries.
She said: "He had two loans and one was at a high interest rate. He wanted to amalgamate the loans.
She added that friends said Mr Howard was quiet in the week leading up to his death but he had never before tried to kill himself.
West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield said: "Having considered the evidence I propose to record the cause of death as multiple injuries with a verdict that the deceased took his own life."
Tonight Mr Howard's mother, Lesley Partridge, 55, of Greenwood Drive, Angmering, near Littlehampton, said her son had not discussed his financial problems with the family.
She said: "I miss him terribly. I had no idea he was in debt.
"He was my world because he was my only child. He was popular and well over 100 friends turned up for his funeral.
"It is hard to think I will never see or talk to him again."
Mr Howard, who was known as Herman to his friends, worked for Frosts Jaguar, starting as an apprentice and eventually becoming a senior motor technician.
His main hobby was building and flying radio controlled planes. He had also started taking flying lessons at Shoreham airport and hoped to get his pilot's licence.
Mr Howard's funeral took place at Worthing Crematorium in Horsham Road on January 24 and mourners went back to the Black Horse pub in High Street, Findon, near Worthing.
Man Worried About Debts Leapt To His Death (from The Argus)</title>
A man jumped to his death from a dual carriageway bridge after visiting an accountant to discuss his debts.
Robert Howard had met with a loan company hours before he leapt off the footbridge just east of the A27 Shoreham flyover.
An inquest at Worthing today heard how the 29-year-old had struggled to repay two loans.
Mr Howard, of Bedford Row, Worthing, was also unhappy because he had moved house from Shoreham.
David Standing told how he witnessed Mr Howard, who was smoking a cigarette, let go of the metal railings and fall onto the road.
Police found Mr Howard's car near the spot he jumped from. The key was still in the ignition and his passport was inside.
Motorist Ameldia Joel was driving on the A27 and had to slam her foot on the brakes to stop her car from hitting Mr Howard's body.
The Sussex Police helicopter based less than half a mile away at Shoreham airport was sent to the scene.
Mr Howard was taken to Worthing Hospital where he died at 1.24pm, almost three and a half hours after jumping from the bridge.
Coroner's officer Lyn Ralfe said Mr Howard had attended an appointment in Portslade earlier that day to discuss his money worries.
She said: "He had two loans and one was at a high interest rate. He wanted to amalgamate the loans.
She added that friends said Mr Howard was quiet in the week leading up to his death but he had never before tried to kill himself.
West Sussex coroner Penelope Schofield said: "Having considered the evidence I propose to record the cause of death as multiple injuries with a verdict that the deceased took his own life."
Tonight Mr Howard's mother, Lesley Partridge, 55, of Greenwood Drive, Angmering, near Littlehampton, said her son had not discussed his financial problems with the family.
She said: "I miss him terribly. I had no idea he was in debt.
"He was my world because he was my only child. He was popular and well over 100 friends turned up for his funeral.
"It is hard to think I will never see or talk to him again."
Mr Howard, who was known as Herman to his friends, worked for Frosts Jaguar, starting as an apprentice and eventually becoming a senior motor technician.
His main hobby was building and flying radio controlled planes. He had also started taking flying lessons at Shoreham airport and hoped to get his pilot's licence.
Mr Howard's funeral took place at Worthing Crematorium in Horsham Road on January 24 and mourners went back to the Black Horse pub in High Street, Findon, near Worthing.
Man Worried About Debts Leapt To His Death (from The Argus)</title>
I do hope they will relect on their actions, well we can hope really.
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