Taxi Driver Online

Sure I'm exaggerating when I say I'd rather starve than join an office

But this driver's wife makes it sound like having to join a firm because of the downturn in rank work due to lockdown was a factor in his suicide

Of course, the piece makes clear that there were other factors involved, but I doubt if this wife would have mentioned it without good reason


Inquest rules on death of Barrow taxi driver Andrew Hargreaves

https://www.nwemail.co.uk/news/18909879 ... xi-driver/


Andrew with grandson Elis (Image: NW Evening Mail)

TRIBUTES have poured in after an inquest heard a well-known taxi driver, described by his family as a 'beautiful rainbow', took his own life.

Andrew Hargreaves drove taxis in Barrow for decades until he was found dead close to where he lived earlier this year.

Figures in the taxi trade have joined his family in paying tribute to a grandad, dad and step-dad, who died aged 58.

Cockermouth Coroner's Court heard Mr Hargreaves was found dead by his son in a wooded area near his home in Island Road on June 30.

His wife Angela said a number of factors had formed a 'perfect storm' that led to a downturn in his mental health.

Well-known in the taxi trade, Mr Hargreaves was instantly recognisable by the distinctive vintage red Mercedes he used for work.


Image: NW Evening Mail

His wife of 27 years, Mrs Hargreaves said the car was his 'pride and joy'.

In a statement read in the inquest, she said: "He lived a love-filled life. He was extremely loving.

"He had a passion for boxing and going to the gym.

"He was kind and had a huge heart.

"His family and friends will really struggle with the loss of Andy.

"Andy was and still is a beautiful rainbow."

Mrs Hargreaves told the hearing that her husband's mental health worsened following a non-disabling stroke in 2019 which 'changed him'.

She said his issues became more profound when the country went into lockdown, stopping him from going to the gym and reducing available work.

She said that having been an independent driver, Mr Hargreaves felt he had 'lost his identity' when he joined a firm.

Mrs Hargreaves said her husband was a 'man's man' who did not like to complain.

The hearing was told that Mr Hargreaves was found by his son Jack hanged from a tree at around 7am.

It came after he received a concerned text from his mother.

A statement from Mr Hargreaves' GP said the taxi driver had not recently sought medical help for his mental health issues.

Coroner Kally Cheema concluded Mr Hargreaves died by suicide.

Fellow taxi driver Bob Mullen paid tribute to the man known as the 'red baron' because of his unique vehicle.

He said: "He was a character, one of the town's characters.

"And he was very popular. I've never seen as many taxis in a line in my life than at his funeral.

"He was always a familiar sight at the ranks."

Mr Mullen added: "You don't know what's going on in people's life.

"There will be other drivers in the same situation - reach out for help."

Joanne Thompson, manager of Acacia Taxis, the firm he joined in lockdown, said: "I had known him for years and years. He was an old school taxi driver.

"I felt privileged that he came - no-one ever thought he would come to a firm.

"He was just a genuine guy and so sociable. Once you had a conversation with him you felt like a life-long friend."

Another inquest on a 47-year-old driver from Ipswich, who died suddenly while shielding.

Nothing really to suggest this was trade-related, and cause of death 'unascertained', but he did have a few health issues

https://www.ipswichstar.co.uk/news/trib ... -1-6948479

wow that really was a vintage taxi not many councils would have let you keep that on the road



These are depressing times almost all of my drivers are getting very bad tempered,can't be bothered to work and very miserable. I am doing all I can to mitigate the downturn in trade BUT at the end of the day financial woes abound and this is going to continue for several more months yet.

The only thing that would snap them out of it is a huge upturn in trade and that ain't gonna happen not even post vaccine

I think though that if anyone is contemplating suicide they need to be reminded of the consequences for those left behind. There is help out there;but; they need to ask for it

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lack of modern legislation is the iceberg sinking the titanic of the transport sector

Like so many other in this trade he seemed the selfless independent type that gave his all without complaint for little reward and nor did he burden the world with his own problems at a time when could have and should have sought help.

You have to feel sorry for him and his family...tragic.

Would certainly never have guessed it was 33 years old, even if it was a lot more unkempt than it looks in the photos

MoT history is very odd, though.

The database says it was tested on 6 July 2020, with 271,000 miles on clock. His funeral was on 10 July.

It was tested again about six weeks ago and the advisory states "Customer reports incorrect mileage recorded at previous MoT."

So it's restated as 116,000 miles.

The last recorded test was in 2012, when it had clocked up 42,000 miles. (Maybe it was SORNd for a few years.)

The only recorded MoT fail was in 2006, when it had done 30,000 miles. That was when it was almost 20 years old.

Between 2006 and 2011 it only clocked up about 900 miles in total, most years clocking up less than 100 miles. But which was roughly when it was aged 20-25 years-old, so consistent with it being kept as some sort of collector's car, or similar.

But seems odd that it was then plated as a taxi, with the odd mileage thingy this year after Mr Hargreaves was dead

I wonder if covid has killed more drivers through suicide than the effects of the disease.

As I said on another thread, fellas if it's bad financially then bump the bank, bump the credit card companies, bump the finance companies, bump bump bump.

But don't let it kill you off, there are plenty of people out there who's job is to help you.

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IDFIMH

Agree with your sentiments entirely, but the 1st organisation that should be helping in our time of need is the Council who license us but most have just washed their hands of us.