English psychiatric patient found dead, hung from a tree

An Exeter (England) psychiatric hospital is carrying out an internal inquiry after one of its patients was found hanged from a tree within its grounds.

Voluntary patient Andrew Simm disappeared from Wonford House last Monday but his body was not discovered until eight days later. Dr Paul Cawthron, medical director for Devon Partnership NHS Trust, said all the correct procedures were followed when 26-year-old Mr Simm failed to return to the hospital after signing out.

But he added: "The trust takes very seriously any untoward incident and the importance of learning from such a tragic event. Trust policies and procedures are regularly reviewed and an internal inquiry into this tragic event will be carried out."

It will be the second inquiry connected to the death of patients to take place within the last 12 months.