Found He Was 'Depressed' About Life In Semi-Retirement

A Red Arrows pilot, a veteran of the Falklands war, who took his own life in a hotel in Chester, U.K. last year had become depressed about his decision to semi-retire, according to an inquest into his death.

The U.K. newspaper The Daily Mail reports that 62-year-old Peter Collins hanged himself in a room at the hotel after becoming depressed about his new life in semi-retirement.

Collins had been one of the most experienced test pilots in Britain, according to the report. He flew Sea Harriers during the Falklands War. He flew "Red Two" for the REd Arrows from 1986 to 1988.

Collins later became a test pilot, but decided to semi-retire in 2015, at which time he began to suffer from depression, according to testimony at the inquest. His widow, Gudrun Collins, said he had regretted making the decision to step back from flying.

Collins had reportedly attempted suicide about three weeks before he traveled to Chester to look for work, according to the testimony. His daughter had found him at home, unresponsive, with an apparent suicide note. Collins told the paramedics who responded that he had consumed two bottles of whiskey.

(Image from file)

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