A RETIRED helicopter engineer who struggled with his mental health took his own life after he entered the River Parrett on the 25th anniversary of his mother's death, an inquest heard.

David Kelly, 63 from Martock, died on July 25 after he entered the River Parrett and tragically drowned.

A search operation was launched by Avon and Somerset Police on July 22 after Mr Kelly was reported missing from his home.

Mr Kelly's body was found three days later in the river.

Senior Coroner Tony Williams heard from various members of Mr Kelly's family including his daughter Amanda Kelly and his son Imran Kelly.

In her statement Miss Kelly said Mr Kelly had always struggled with this mental health but she became most aware of it when his marriage to Zubeda Dawson broke down.

She explained how Mr Kelly had seen his doctor on repeated occasions and had been trying to wean off medication.

Her statement added: "I just thought David was low, I had no idea that things were getting this bad."

Imran Kelly and Mr Kelly's ex-wife, Zubeda Dawson, criticised the help Mr Kelly received from mental health support services and the crisis team when he went to them.

The inquest heard from Mr Kelly's GP, Dr Moore, who said he had been treating Mr Kelly since 1994 after he was diagnosed with depression, and had tried many different medications and treatments for his condition.

Dr Moore said on June 14, Mr Kelly visited him and said he wanted end his life as he felt his 'head wasn't working' and that in the weeks leading up to his death Mr Kelly had lost weight and became more anxious and withdrawn.

Dr Park, a consultant psychiatrist at Holly Hall Medical Practice, said Mr Kelly had been referred to him on numerous times but stopped visiting him because Mr Kelly said the sessions were not helpful.

Dr Park added there had been changes to his medication but Mr Kelly felt the medication had not helped him.

Mr Kelly's son, Imran also spoke during the inquest and submitted to the coroner various documents relating to his father's care.

He criticised the care his father received through Somerset Mental Health services and said more could have been done to prevent his father's death.

Speaking at the inquest, he said: "I wonder how many times someone has to say they are suicidal before they are committed."

Mr Kelly's ex wife Zubeda Dawson also spoke out at the inquest and shared Imran's view, she said: "We felt that he could have had more support from the crisis team so that it didn't go that far.

"He wanted to live. If he had help, he would have felt different."

The coroner spoke to the family about recording a cause of death and it was agreed that Mr Kelly had taken his own life and cause of death was drowning.