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University of Kent student Oliver Callaghan jumped to death near Medway Tunnel after being caught spending £250 on friend's bank card

00:01, 01 August 2013

The Medway Tunnel was shut after Oliver Callaghan fell from a bridge last September
The Medway Tunnel was shut after Oliver Callaghan fell from a bridge last September

A University of Kent student jumped from a bridge close to the Medway Tunnel after spending £250 using his housemate's bank card, an inquest heard.

Oliver Callaghan, of Milner Road, Gillingham, was hit by a car and died of multiple injuries. A contributory factor in his death was an overdose of paracetamol, a coroner was told.

The inquest heard the 23-year-old computing student talked of feeling depressed and had contemplated suicide.

He had been struggling academically and deputy assistant coroner Allison Summers said the bank card incident might have been the "tipping point".

The hearing was told on the day he died - September 28 last year - Mr Callaghan was confronted by one of his housemates after his bank card went missing.

He promised to pay back £250 after Gun Ho Ng found a piece of paper with his bank details in Mr Callaghan's room.

The Medway Tunnel
The Medway Tunnel

Moments after returning from an ATM with the cash, Mr Callaghan left - claiming he needed to top up his phone.

Around an hour later, emergency services were called to Pier Road where Mr Callaghan had jumped onto the carriageway.

A verdict of suicide was recorded.

For the full story, see tomorrow's Medway Messenger.

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