Graham Thorpe's care had 'failings' in last months of his life before tragic death
There were 'failings' in the provision of former England batter and coach Graham Thorpe's care in the months before he died in August last year, a coroner said, as he recorded a conclusion of suicide at his inquest.
The 55-year-old died on the morning of August 4 2024 after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey. An inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking heard he had 'spiralled into depression' after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022, and he had tried to take his own life on another occasion.
Coroner Jonathan Stevens said at the inquest that the last time Thorpe was seen in person by healthcare professionals was on March 26 2024. He said: 'In my judgment there were shortcomings in the care that should have been provided to Graham in the last four months or so of his life.'
He added 'there were failings in the provision of his care' but said he cannot on the evidence conclude the failures were gross and so he can not conclude that if it were not for the failures Thorpe would not have died.
The coroner said: 'It's clear there were shortcomings in his care. If he had been seen in those last four months, particularly after that incident on June 28, I cannot say whether it would or would not have made any difference.'
Earlier on Friday, the inquest heard Thorpe was not perceived by healthcare professionals to be in a 'crisis situation' after they were told he had been asking his wife 'for help to end his life' weeks before he died.
Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles.
During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats.
An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson said: 'Graham was not only one of England's greatest cricketers, but also a deeply admired and much‑loved person.
'His generosity, warmth, and passion for the game left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him — whether as a teammate, coach, or friend.
'His untimely death is a profound tragedy, and his loss is felt deeply across the cricketing community and far beyond. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Amanda, his children, his father Geoff, and all those who loved him.
'Graham's passing is also a stark reminder of the challenges so many face with mental health.
'His family's courage in sharing his story is deeply moving, and we hope that the upcoming 'Day for Thorpey' at the Kia Oval, in support of Mind, will both honour his memory and encourage others to speak openly and seek the help they need.'
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Metro
3 days ago
- Metro
'Failings' in care for cricket legend in the months before he took his own life
There were 'failings' in the care for former England cricketer Graham Thorpe in the months before he took his own life, a coroner has said. The 55-year-oldwas not seen by care professionals in person for over four months, despite them knowing that Thorpe was 'constantly asking for help to end his life'. The cricket star died on the morning of August 4, 2024, after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey. Coroner Jonathan Stevens recorded a conclusion of suicide at the inquest but said there had been 'shortcomings' in Thorpe's care. Thorpe 'spiralled into depression' after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022 and had tried to take his own life on another occasion. The coroner said the cricketer was last seen by healthcare professionals in person on March 26, 2024. He missed an appointment with the community mental health team on June 28 that year. That is when the care coordinator, Katie Johnson, spoke to Thorpe's wife Amanda, who reported that her husband was 'constantly asking for help to end his life'. Thorpe later told Johnson himself that he 'didn't see the point of being here' but did not plan on acting on suicidal thoughts. The coroner said 'someone should have gone to see' the 55-year-old to assess him after it was clear he 'found it hard to attend' appointments offered to him. 'Come see me in two weeks' was 'not an appropriate response,' he added. Stevens said that 'protective measures' should have been introduced in June 2024, similar to when Thorpe was given in-patient treatment over suicidal thoughts in May 2023. The inquest heard that those responsible for Thorpe's care judged he was in a 'crisis situation' after learning he had asked his wife 'for help to end his life'. The coroner rejected that, saying: 'I don't accept that when Graham was constantly asking his wife to help him end his life, which was a new presentation… that he was not at that point in crisis.' Stevens added: 'In my judgment there were shortcomings in the care that should have been provided to Graham in the last four months or so of his life.' However the coroner said the evidence did not point to the 'failings' in Thorpe's care being gross, so could not conclude Thorpe would not have died if not for the failings. He added there was no evidence for a finding of neglect. Thorpe's family said they hope the coroner will 'address concerns' regarding the cricketer's care before his death. Their representative said they hope coroner will address the 'shortcomings' so that such a loss 'never happens again'. Thorpe's wife Amanda spoke outside Surrey Coroner's Court with a message to the loved ones of others who struggle with their mental health. She said: 'Reach out for help, and you are not alone. There is help out there. Keep going. Things will get better.' More Trending The inquest heard previously that a leaked video of Tasmanian police breaking up a drinking session between England and Australian cricket players in 2022 was 'blown out of all proportion' and the fallout left Graham 'distraught'. Amanda said it was a 'horrible' time, and the later termination of his employment with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was 'the 'start of the decline of his mental health'. Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles. During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats. Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Coroner rules what really happened to Jay Slater when he died in Tenerife MORE: Ashes drinking video leak caused Graham Thorpe to 'spiral into depression' MORE: Ben Stokes is the leading man as classic England v India Test series produces compelling drama
Daily Mirror
3 days ago
- Daily Mirror
Graham Thorpe's care had 'failings' in last months of his life before tragic death
An inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking heard Graham Thorpe had 'spiralled into depression' after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022, and he had tried to take his own life on another occasion There were 'failings' in the provision of former England batter and coach Graham Thorpe's care in the months before he died in August last year, a coroner said, as he recorded a conclusion of suicide at his inquest. The 55-year-old died on the morning of August 4 2024 after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey. An inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking heard he had 'spiralled into depression' after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022, and he had tried to take his own life on another occasion. Coroner Jonathan Stevens said at the inquest that the last time Thorpe was seen in person by healthcare professionals was on March 26 2024. He said: 'In my judgment there were shortcomings in the care that should have been provided to Graham in the last four months or so of his life.' He added 'there were failings in the provision of his care' but said he cannot on the evidence conclude the failures were gross and so he can not conclude that if it were not for the failures Thorpe would not have died. The coroner said: 'It's clear there were shortcomings in his care. If he had been seen in those last four months, particularly after that incident on June 28, I cannot say whether it would or would not have made any difference.' Earlier on Friday, the inquest heard Thorpe was not perceived by healthcare professionals to be in a 'crisis situation' after they were told he had been asking his wife 'for help to end his life' weeks before he died. Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles. During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats. An England and Wales Cricket Board spokesperson said: 'Graham was not only one of England's greatest cricketers, but also a deeply admired and much‑loved person. 'His generosity, warmth, and passion for the game left a lasting impact on everyone fortunate enough to know him — whether as a teammate, coach, or friend. 'His untimely death is a profound tragedy, and his loss is felt deeply across the cricketing community and far beyond. Our thoughts and heartfelt sympathies are with his wife Amanda, his children, his father Geoff, and all those who loved him. 'Graham's passing is also a stark reminder of the challenges so many face with mental health. 'His family's courage in sharing his story is deeply moving, and we hope that the upcoming 'Day for Thorpey' at the Kia Oval, in support of Mind, will both honour his memory and encourage others to speak openly and seek the help they need.'
Powys County Times
4 days ago
- Powys County Times
Graham Thorpe missed mental health appointments before death, inquest told
Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe told a healthcare professional he 'didn't see the point of being here' and missed a number of appointments in the months before he died, an inquest has heard. The 55-year-old died on the morning of August 4 2024 after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey. His widow Amanda Thorpe said he had taken his own life. An inquest at Surrey Coroner's Court in Woking heard he had 'spiralled into depression' after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022, and he had tried to take his own life on another occasion. In the weeks leading up to his death, he had asked his wife 'to help him end his life', the court was told. On Thursday, consultant psychiatrist Dr Amirthalingam Baheerathan was asked whether Mr Thorpe's comments required an immediate review, but he said they felt he 'wasn't under imminent risk'. He added that when patients miss appointments with the community mental health team, further attempts would be made to book sessions, with the possibility of virtual appointments or home visits. In Mr Thorpe's case, the situation fluctuated with some appointments attended and others missed, he said. After missing an appointment on June 28 2024, care co-ordinator Katie Johnson spoke to Mr Thorpe. He told her he 'hadn't been out for a while' and 'didn't see the point of being here', but had no immediate plans to act on suicidal thoughts, Dr Baheerathan said in his statement. Mark McGhee, for Mr Thorpe's family, asked if he accepted people who are depressed may not say what they actually mean. Dr Baheerathan said: 'Not all the time. But there are times when in Mr Thorpe's case he said that he will come for the appointments and he came for some of the appointments.' He said the cricketer had agreed to come for follow-up appointments. The last time Dr Baheerathan saw Mr Thorpe was 19 weeks before he died on March 20, 2024, Mr McGhee said. Dr Baheerathan first met with Mr Thorpe in October 2022, after he had been transferred to the community mental health recovery services in August following his discharge from a private hospital. Mr Thorpe had been diagnosed with moderate depressive disorder, Dr Baheerathan told the court, adding his depression was 'fluctuating' and that at some points he was severely depressed. During a meeting in April 2023, Mr Thorpe mentioned he was having 'active suicidal thoughts', which was addressed by making sure he was accompanied when he went to appointments, the psychiatrist said. The inquest previously heard that while on tour in Australia, there was an 'incident involving a video that was taken that had adverse publicity'. Mr Thorpe shared a video with some friends which was leaked, and the incident was 'blown out of all proportion', leaving Mr Thorpe 'distraught', Mrs Thorpe said. According to reports at the time, the video, filmed after a dismal Ashes series which England lost 4-0, showed Tasmanian police breaking up a drinking session involving both England and Australia players. Mrs Thorpe described it as a 'horrible' time, and said the later termination of his employment with the England and Wales Cricket Board was a 'real shock to Graham', which was the 'start of the decline of his mental health'. Mr Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles. During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats. The inquest continues.
