Graduate with physics PhD, 31, fell to his death from block of flats after taking job in call centre he was over-qualified for

Dr Philip Elliott recently competed a degree at Reading University
In the weeks leading up to his death he had suffered a number of career knock backs
The 31-year-old fell from the roof of an apartment block in west London


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An academic jumped off scaffolding to his death when he was only able to find a job in a call centre after finishing his doctorate, an inquest heard today.

Dr Philip Elliott, 31, who had recently completed a PhD in physics at Reading University, was seen on the sixth floor of an apartment block in west London just after 11am on January 27 this year.

Police tried to call him down but he fell from the property in Cromwell Street, Kensington, an hour later, the hearing was told.

Westminster Coroner's Court heard Dr Elliott - who was also a qualified engineer and was described as a 'high academic achiever' - had suffered a number of career knock-backs in the weeks leading to his death.

His landlord of seven years Harry Duphnath said the most recent he knew of was in December last year.

In a statement read to the inquest Mr Duphnath said: 'I was aware Philip had started a job with Southern Electric - I think in a call centre - which wasn't what he aspired to.

'He mentioned being frustrated at work and unhappy about being there and had started looking for other jobs and going for interviews.

'The last one was the week before Christmas in 2012.

'I saw him ironing his shirt getting ready for the interview.

'While I was there he checked his emails and he had one which said the interview had been cancelled.

'He was a bit low about that, but he wasn't angry. He said that he would plod on and keep going.'

The landlord said he received a text message from Dr Elliott on January 24, three days before his death, apologising for not doing some tidying up.

It read: 'Sorry. I've had a terrible time the last three weeks. Thanks for your patience. I can't explain how stressful it's been, but I appreciate it's not your fault.'

Mr Duphnath said him and his wife Sonia were 'utterly shocked' to hear Philip had taken his life days later.

Det Con David Gadsby, of the Metropolitan Police, said a resident in the block where Dr Elliott died reported hearing footsteps on the roof at 9.30am that morning, but thought nothing of it and went back to bed.
An hour-and-a-half later a motorist driving past the building called police expressing concern a man might be preparing to jump.

Officers arrived within five minutes but were advised not to talk him down as it was too dangerous to get out onto the scaffolding.

Paramedics who were already on the scene tried to revive him but the science mad graduate was pronounced dead from multiple injuries at 12.10pm.

Westminster Coroner Darren Stewart said he could not be sure beyond reasonable doubt that Dr Elliott meant to take his own life as it could have been a 'cry for help.'

Recording a narrative verdict, he explained: 'It is clear he was a high academic achiever in science, having achieved a PhD from the University of Reading, but he had not been able to get a job for some time.

'He took work which was perhaps not entirely suited to his skill sets in that he was working in a call centre.
'However, it shows Dr Elliot was committed to gaining employment and to progressing in his life.
'What is clear from the evidence is that he received a number of blows to his confidence in terms of jobs he aspired to which were either unsuccessful or withdrawn.
'It is clear that this had an impact on his general morale, and on the 27th of January 2013 Dr Elliott climbed up on to some scaffolding in Cromwell Road, Kensington.
'Officers decided not to try and talk Dr Elliott down as it would have been dangerous to them and to him.
'Sadly, shortly thereafter, Dr Elliott made a gesture with his arms and appeared to dive towards the ground striking the pavement.'
He added: 'Police enquiries revealed no indication Dr Elliott's actions were planned or that he had intended to take his life, nor is there any evidence to suggest Dr Elliott was subject to any mental health care.
'Whilst perhaps disappointed and suffering from a degree of depression due to his lack of work opportunities he was otherwise a fit, intelligent young man who had achieved well at university.
'It makes the outcome of what occurred on January 27 2013 all the sadder due to that.
'I am not satisfied on what has been presented before me as to be certain Dr Elliott intended to take his own. It is entirely possible this could have been a cry for help.'
None of Dr Elliott's family attended the inquest in central London, but they have since set up a remembrance page in his memory.


http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2304096/Graduate-physics-PhD-31-fell-death-block-flats-taking-job-centre-qualified-for.html

That UK can frustrate someone ehn, but not to take your own life now.

white people and stress do not mix- they are so used to an easy life that when things dont go according to plan they lose it. There are so many africans who have masters degrees and phds that are doing all sort of menial jobs in the UK but they just keep plodding on beleiving that at some point things will take a turn for the better.

"Forced"?

May his soul R.I.P

edited

Na wah o.. I bin think say Ώa only 9ja sabi frustrate person.. E no reach 2 kill urself na.. RIP sha, wish Ʊ quick employment der

[color=#990000][/color]eya.... so not only in naija. i wish na naija u dey. U 4 b come my deriver ;Deya.... so not only in naija. i wish na naija u dey. U 4 b come my deriver

Aww, eyah

Life is not easy for anyone right now. This recession is ongoing.

How was he forced to work there?

Didnt he apply for the job with a clear mind?

Condolences to the bereaved.

If this had happened in Nigeria, we would have had the usual suspects queuing up to pour abuse on ''our leaders''.

In Nigeria, any unfortunate occurrence is the fault of - you guessed it - ''our leaders''.

This guy's suicide is a sign of the times in the UK - many young people are going to find themselves in a situation where they have qualifications, no job to go to and huge debts on their backs - i dont mean to be insensitive but at least this guy had a job - there are many like him who will not even have any means of paying back the huge student debts that they will run up.

dayokanu: How was he forced to work there?

Didnt he apply for the job with a clear mind?

He was forced in the sense that he had no other option but to accept it, since jobs were not forthcoming. How can a Phd holder have a clear mind and apply for a job at a call center? A doctor at that?

cap28: This guy's suicide is a sign of the times in the UK - many young people are going to find themselves in a situation where they have qualifications, no job to go to and huge debts on their backs - i dont mean to be insensitive but at least this guy had a job - there are many like him who will not even have any means of paying back the huge student debts that they will run up.

Yes, the Uk is currently facing a triple dip recession and is only trying to be revived through the housing market.

Unemployment levels have risen, and they have fallen from the AAA rating in the EU.

Infact, America's unemployment and poverty rate is worse now.

R.I.P to the guy