AN elderly man was found lying seriously injured on a pavement after jumping from the fourth floor of a multi-storey car park in Poole.

Anthony Baldwin, 77, told paramedics he had fallen while out shopping but later told his daughter that he had jumped and wanted to end his life, an inquest heard. The Bournemouth inquest was told Mr Baldwin, who lived alone in Harkwood Drive, Hamworthy, had suffered from depression for many years before the incident in Dear Hay Lane on the morning of May 22.

He suffered serious facial injuries as well as fractures to his pelvis and ribs, Dorset Coroner Sheriff Payne heard.

He was initially treated at Poole before being transferred to Southampton General Hospital where he died four weeks later from bronchial pneumonia. Mr Payne recorded a verdict that Mr Baldwin took his own life.