A MAN who fell to his death from a Haverfordwest footbridge had intended to take his own life.

That was the conclusion reached by Pembrokeshire Coroner Mark Layton, who held an inquest into the death of Shane Daniel Louis Sturgess, known locally as Danny Large, on Thursday, July 24.

Mr Sturgess was discovered lying in the middle of Cartlett Road by a passing taxi driver at around 12.40am on April 12 this year.

CPR was performed at the scene, but Mr Sturgess was pronounced dead at Withybush hospital at about 1.30am.

It was the day before his 43rd birthday.

Police officers carried out a search of his flat at Cartlett House, Haverfordwest and found an open notepad with the words ‘I’m so sorry’ written.

A Dyfed-Powys Police investigation found there had been no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death.

In his report, the coroner’s officer Jeremy Davies said Mr Sturgess was born in Leeds and was removed from his mother’s care when he was five and had lived in foster homes.

He moved to Pembrokeshire in 2011 and was the father of four children.

Mr Sturgess had long suffered with depression and in the hours leading up to his death was described as not being himself.

An extended post mortem examination was carried out and the pathologist’s report said Mr Sturgess had suffered multiple fractures.

Blood tests showed minimal traces of alcohol, which indicated Mr Sturgess was not under the influence of alcohol at the time.

The cause of death was given as blunt trauma to the head and chest.

In his conclusion, Mr Layton said Mr Sturgess left his home, went to the footbridge and fell to his death.

“I believe it was a deliberate act and that he had intended to end his life,” Mr Layton added.

Mr Layton expressed his sympathy to Mr Sturgess’ family.