Inquest into soldier death to probe whether unit had 'suicide cluster'

An inquest into the death of a soldier who took his own life will investigate fears of a 'suicide cluster' within his battalion.

Nicki Hart, 33, who had a history of mental health struggles, died at Catterick Garrison in North Yorkshire in February 2022. 

An Army Service Inquiry Report found there were 'several missed opportunities' which 'significantly' hindered the efforts to help him.

It also raised concerns over a possible 'suicide cluster' after four sudden deaths in the Fourth Battalion of the Royal Regiment of Scotland between 2018 and 2022.

Now an inquest into the father-of-three's death will begin on Monday, as his family say they hope to receive 'much needed' answers.

Mr Hart's heartbroken widow Sara, 38, speaking ahead of the inquest, said: 'Nicki was my world and to lose him so suddenly and in such tragic circumstances continues to affect me every day.

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'To know our children will have to navigate through life without their devoted dad is something I'm still struggling to come to terms with, but I'll make sure they know how much he loved them.

'I always believed more could have been done to help Nicki when he needed it.

'While the Service Inquiry Report provided us with some of the answers we needed, we're hopeful that the inquest, no matter how tough, will help us honour Nicki's memory and help ensure no other family has to go through what we have.

'He was the best husband and dad, and I'll miss him for the rest of my life..'

The inquiry report stated that Mr Hart, who was found dead at his base in Catterick Garrison, had previously attempted suicide in 2012 and 2014 after drinking excessive amounts of alcohol.

His mental health began to deteriorate shortly after his friend Ryan MacKenzie took his own life at the garrison in 2021.

He is one of eight Catterick-based soldiers to have died suddenly or by suicide since 2018.

They include bullying victim Lance Cpl Bernie Mongan, 33, who lay dead inside his room for almost three weeks before being found and Private Thamir Mbarushimana, 18 - who had been at the Infantry Training Centre only a matter of months - was found dead by railway tracks in Manchester in February 2022. 

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Mr Hart was assessed a month after his friend's death but 'his presentation was deemed not related to mental health'.

It was only after he told officers in 2022 of three recent suicide bids that he was referred for mental health support.

But after he was found dead in his barracks, the inquiry report highlighted a 'significant shortfall of psychiatrists leading to a longer waiting list for appointments.'

Following his death, Sara and Mr Hart's sister Jamie Hart-Dobbs, 39, instructed expert medical negligence lawyers at Irwin Mitchell to investigate.

Ms Hart-Dobbs added: 'Accepting that Nicki is gone is something I don't think I'll ever be able to do. I'd do anything to have him back in our lives but I know that's not possible.

'All I can hope for now is that we get the remaining answers we're looking for and we can try our best to move forward knowing we've done everything we can to help other soldiers who may be struggling with their mental health like Nicki was.'

One of the 41 recommendations in the inquiry report states the 'possible requirement to investigate all recent deaths within the unit from the period 2018-2022 in order to identify whether the unit had experienced a suicide cluster'.

Ayse Ince, the specialist medical negligence lawyer at Irwin Mitchell representing the family, said: 'It's been two-and-a-half years since Nicki died, and Jamie and Sara understandably remain devastated by their loss.

'While the Service Inquiry Report has been published, Nicki's loved ones continue to have questions and concerns surrounding his death.

All they want is for no stone to be left unturned and most thorough investigation to be held so all possible lessons can be learned to support Armed Forces personnel. The inquest is the next phase of this.'

A 10-day inquest has been set to begin next Monday at Northallerton Coroners Court.

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