Director refused depression help

Rory Parsons had campaigned for many years for cocklers

A west Wales businessman who killed himself in his car refused to take medication for depression because of his love of flying, an inquest heard.

Rory Parsons, a leading figure in the cockle industry, feared for his pilot's licence if he took tablets.

The director of Parsons Pickles was found in has car at Brechfa Forest on 15 September, his 53rd birthday.

The coroner in Llanelli heard that he died of carbon monoxide poisoning and ruled that Mr Parsons killed himself.

In a statement after the hearing, his widow Jean urged others suffering from depression to seek help.

He would not take any medication because of his pilot's licence and his love of flying Detective Constable Teresa Jones

"I now know Rory was suffering from an illness from which he refused to seek help that might have meant he would be with us today," she said.

"Rory gave his all for his family, his business, work colleagues and the community."

She said the community of Johnstown, near Carmarthen, where they lived had collected money for a memorial for him.

A climbing frame, in the shape of an aeroplane, would be built in the village park.

Deputy coroner for Carmarthenshire, Pauline Mainwaring, had heard Mr Parsons had gone missing from home early in the evening of 13 September.

Later that day he telephoned family and friends to tell them he planned to kill himself.

Phone records

They searched various locations for him including the shellfish processing plant he ran in Burry Port.

Police were not alerted until the following day as he had gone missing before.

Detective Constable Teresa Jones told the court that officers used his mobile phone records to trace his Mercedes car to the north Carmarthenshire area.

It was found on 15 September parked in a lay-by and with a petrol engine on the rear seat.

She said Mr Parsons had been suffering from depression since December last year.

"He would not take any medication because of his pilot's licence and his love of flying," she added.

Mr Parsons had his own light aircraft and was a member of a flying club at Pembrey.

The businessman was a member of the South Wales Sea Fisheries Committee and had campaigned for many years on behalf of west Wales cocklers.

He had led calls for more stringent licensing of gatherers and for improved testing of shell-fish beds.