A father-of-three who felt he was "losing [his] mind" died after fleeing a hospital on a stolen bicycle and crashing into a van, an inquest has concluded.
William 'Will' David Hensleigh, of St Martin's on the Isles of Scilly, was a much-loved husband and father who died suddenly on November 23, 2024, while being treated for a urinary tract infection (UTI) which doctors believed was causing him to suffer from delirium.
The 61-year-old was receiving antibiotics when, in the early hours after his admission, he smashed a window, threw a glass at staff and escaped on a stolen bicycle. He was later found dead after crashing into a stationary van.
A three-day jury inquest was held into his death at Cornwall’s Coroners Court in Truro this week. Jurors determined he died from a broken neck suffered in the crash.
Andrew Cox, senior coroner for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly, said concerns were raised about access to medical care on the islands and police dispatch issues. However, he felt these bore no impact on Mr Hensleigh's death and therefore deemed it inappropriate to file any Prevention of Future Death reports (PFD).
The reports, also known as a Regulation 28 report, serve as a formal notice issued by a coroner during or after an inquest when systemic risks that could lead to further fatalities are identified.
The inquest heard that Mr Hensleigh, a retired firefighter of 30 years who had also worked as a gardener and fisherman, became suddenly mentally unwell in the days before his death. He confessed to his wife that he felt he was losing his mind and began behaving strangely.
He was diagnosed with an infection after a doctor described a test as "[lighting] up like a Christmas tree". The working diagnosis was that this caused delirium and explained his changed mental state.
The NHS states that UTIs are a common trigger for delirium, especially in older people, and can cause confusion and disorientation.
Mr Hensleigh was admitted to hospital on the main island of St Mary’s for intravenous antibiotics. His wife described him as behaving "paranoid" with unusual behaviour and "not of sound mind".
After his treatment began, his wife and two youngest children returned home to the island of St Martin’s. He died the following morning.
The inquest jury made a narrative conclusion that Mr Hensleigh died on
Delirious Father Dies After Hospital Escape on Stolen Bike