Inquest of Malcolm Taylor who died at Gorleston beach

Malcolm Taylor, of Grebe Close in Bradwell, was found earlier this year by a dog walker on Gorleston Beach at around 5.45am on March 4. 

An inquest into the 76-year-old's death, held at Norfolk Coroner’s Court, heard that his wife, Jane, had died two years earlier in March 2022. 

A statement read on behalf of Mr Taylor's son, Stuart, said that after Jane's death his father "couldn't cope" and "did not know what to do with himself".

This coincided with Mr Taylor, who was a retired offshore worker, experiencing a decline in his own mental and physical health.

Malcolm Taylor's inquest was held at Norfolk Coroner's Court (Image: Newsquest) It was arranged that care workers would visit Mr Taylor at his home twice a day.

The court was told that on February 26, plans to section the retired man were made after concerns about his worsening depression.

However, since Norfolk and Suffolk NHS Foundation Trust (NSFT) - a mental health provider - did not have bed availability, Mr Taylor was unable to be admitted.

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Instead his carers continued to pay close attention to him during their morning and afternoon visits until a bed became vacant.

A few days later, Mr Taylor told the carer during an afternoon visit on Sunday, March 3, that he was "confused" and "struggling to cope". 

No action was taken as he still was unable to be admitted into hospital.

The court was told that at around 10pm that evening, his neighbour spotted Mr Taylor getting into his car.

The Pier Hotel overlooking the beach in Gorleston (Image: Liz Coates) At 10.22pm, CCTV at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston captured him parking his car at the site which was one of his "favourite places" where he "regularly went for lunch".

The inquest heard that two patrolling police officers were seen walking around the Pier Hotel and beach shortly after midnight on March 4.

Officers believe that Mr Taylor would "likely have" entered the water between 10.22pm on March 3 and 00.08am on March 4.

Senior coroner for Norfolk Jacqueline Lake gave a conclusion of "suicide while suffering from extreme distress".

The medical cause of death was given as drowning.

'THIS IS A NATIONWIDE PROBLEM'

Following the inquest, Mrs Lake has said she will write to the government over concerns about a shortage of patient beds.

She said: "The shortage of patient beds, which is a nationwide problem, may result in more deaths so I will make a report to the relevant government department."

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READ MORE: To read all obituaries and tributes join the Facebook group Norfolk's Loved & Lost

The NSFT, who were called to give evidence at the inquest, did not come under fire from the coroner who was "satisfied" that steps had been put in place to mitigate concerns following Mr Taylor's death.

She added that Mr Taylor had had a "care plan" in place and was being seen by carers twice a day.

Malcolm Taylor lived at Grebe Close in Bradwell (Image: Google)