THE family of a 78-year-old who died after jumping from the Sabrina Bridge in Worcester believe he wanted a quick death.

Robert Sheridan, of Swinton Lane, Worcester, had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer days before he died on Monday, November 30 2015, an inquest heard.

At the inquest into his death, held at County Hall in Worcester today (Thursday), the assistant coroner Andrew Cox said CCTV footage showed Mr Sheridan walking onto Sabrina Bridge and jumping into the River Severn.

A statement, signed by his wife Frances Sheridan, and sons Chris and Robert Sheridan, said Mr Sheridan - who was known as Bob - had suffered with increasing pain in his stomach area, and had lost a stone and a half in weight.

The statement, which was read out in court, said “We do not believe that Bob wanted to take his own life on a whim.

“Bob was not a man who ever discussed or contemplated suicide.

“We, his family, believe he wanted a quick death.”

His family described Mr Sheridan as a keen sportsman, with a particular passion for golf, and who also enjoyed music.

Among the instruments he could play were the saxophone and clarinet, and he had performed live music, including 1940s Big Band tunes.

He completed his national service in the Royal Worcestershire Regiment and in 1962 he married Frances, in Worcester.

He built a career as a French polisher and went on to establish his own business for which he worked until he retired aged 65.

Mr Cox said the medical cause of death was immersion, with hypertensive heart disease as a contributory factor.

He returned a verdict of suicide.

Mr Cox said: “In November 2015 Mr Sheridan was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.

“On the 30th November he drove to Hylton Road, St Johns, in Worcester and was seen on CCTV footage to walk on the Sabrina footbridge and then jump from it into the River Severn.”