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Former England and Surrey cricketer Graham Thorpe “spiralled into depression” after losing his job as a batting coach in 2022, an inquest has heard.<\/p>\n
The 55-year-old died on the morning of 4 August 2024 after being struck by a train, with his widow Amanda Thorpe later saying that he had taken his own life.<\/p>\n
An inquest at Woking Coroner’s Court on Wednesday heard that Mr Thorpe was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018 and previously tried to take his own life in 2022.<\/p>\n
The left-handed batter spent his entire first-class playing career at Surrey, alongside playing 100 Tests and 82 one-day internationals for England between 1993 and 2005.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Mrs Thorpe said that up until 2020 there were no psychological issues in particular, apart from “a bout of depression” in 2018 which did not affect his job.<\/p>\n
Her statement went on to address an incident in 2022 involving a leaked video in Australia which had left Mr Thorpe “distraught”.<\/p>\n
According to reports at the time, the video showed Tasmanian police breaking up a drinking session involving both England and Australia players.<\/p>\n
Describing it as a “horrible” time, Mrs Thorpe said the later termination of his employment with the England and Wales Cricket Board (ECB) was a “real shock” which marked the “decline” of his mental health.<\/p>\n
Mr Thorpe’s father, Geoff Thorpe, said in a statement that the video incident had “caused catastrophic damage to him”.<\/p>\n
Professor Nick Pierce, the ECB’s chief medical officer, said in a statement that after Mr Thorpe’s employment ended in February 2022 his private health insurance cover was extended until the May.<\/p>\n
He said that at “no point” during Mr Thorpe’s time with the ECB was there any concern regarding a risk of self harm or “intent to end life”.<\/p>\n
Reading Geoff Thorpe’s statement, the coroner said: “You felt those who were responsible for Graham’s safety and care could’ve done more to intervene.”<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Coroner Jonathan Stevens read a statement from Mr Thorpe’s GP, Dr Joan Munnelly, who said the cricketer was diagnosed with anxiety and depression in 2018.<\/p>\n
Dr Munnelly said the attempt to take his own life in 2022 resulted in a brain injury which left Thorpe in intensive care.<\/p>\n
Mrs Thorpe said that, by 2023, her husband was experiencing suicidal thoughts and was “in a terrible way” after Christmas that year. <\/p>\n
The last contact between Mr Thorpe and those responsible for his psychiatric care was in June last year. <\/p>\n
The inquest continues.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n