Man stabbed himself over health problem
A farther of two died after stabbing himself in the stomach because he could no longer cope with an ear infection that had left him unable to work, an inquest heard.
Steven Hill, aged 55, was found at his home in Brereton, Rugeley, by his wife Sarah. Cannock Coroner's Court heard that Mr Hill had been suffering from a blocked ear which was causing him to feel dizzy, nauseous and unsteady on his feet, leaving him unable to work as a tyre fitter at Trent Valley Tyres in Rugeley. He visited Brereton Surgery numerous times in the month before his death.
He was prescribed anti-sickness medication to cope with a condition called Labyrinthitis, an ear infection which can affect hearing and balance.
Giving evidence, Dr Nicola Davies said: "Six weeks after his initial visit, Mr Hill was no longer vomiting and only had a slight inbalance. His hearing had also improved.
"However, he was quite intense and overly concerned about the problem and did not accept our reassurances.
"The condition can be quite disabling and unpleasant but although Mr Hill's condition was not perfect, he was able to stop himself from falling over.
"He was keen to return to work so his death was totally unexpected."
The inquest heard Mr Hill, of Talbot Road, was happily married and did not have any financial difficulties.
His body was discovered in the kitchen by his wife at 5.20am on September 9 last year.
South Staffordshire coroner Andrew Haigh said: "Mr Hill reached a stage where he could not cope with the problem of his ears anymore.
"Generally he was a healthy man and this is normally a condition that should resolve itself in a comparatively short period of time.
"Some progress was being made and it was hoped that he would be returning to work but he killed himself and he intended to do so."
He recorded a verdict of suicide.
Tributes have been paid to Mr Hill, with his sister-in-law Val Hewitt describing him as 'a loving husband and father'.
She said: "He was a hard worker and had always had a job since leaving school and that was one of the reasons he was fed up because he wanted to get back into work.
She added:?"He would do anything for anyone but the condition just got too much for him.
"It has come as a massive shock to everyone, he meant everything to us and we all miss him terribly.
"My sister and her two daughters, Alison and Sam, are devastated. We just wish he was still here."
