A FORMER Cowley car worker man deliberately killed himself with helium gas in a motel room, an inquest heard yesterday.

David Hill, a 62-year-old who worked for BMW, was found slumped on the floor by the receptionist at a Travelodge in Sutton Scotney, Hampshire, after being alerted by the cleaner.

The coroner stated that despite all the evidence proving Mr Hill had committed suicide, it was unclear why he had done it. Police were called to the motel on the afternoon of March 1 this year.

Laura Petrie, who was on duty as a receptionist on that day, said in a statement: “The door was locked and the ‘do not disturb’ sign was hanging on the door. I got a gut feeling that something was wrong.”

Pathologist Dr Adnan Al-Badri said the death was entirely consistent with someone having suffocated as a result of breathing in helium.

Mr Hill, who lived alone in Ducklington, Witney, other than with the occasional lodger, had left a several notes – to his daughter Claire, the police and the staff at the hotel, explaining his actions.

Mr Hill’s doctor’s notes showed that in late 2001 and early 2002 he had attempted suicide twice, through drug overdoses.

One of those was put down to work stress with restructuring taking place at the Cowley BMW production plant.

Simon Burge, deputy coroner for central Hampshire, said: “This was clearly a planned suicide.

“Death would have occurred quickly and without pain or discomfort.”