Angelo Peroni tried to save Christopher Woolnough (pictured), 56, from Essex, as he climbed over a glass barrier
A City worker told how he ran from his office, grabbed an IT consultant’s arm and shouted ‘don’t do it’ before the man leapt to his death from the London Stock Exchange.
Angelo Peroni tried to save Christopher Woolnough, 56, from Essex, as he climbed over a glass barrier.
Mr Woolnough shook him off and continued on to an internal walkway where he jumped to his death in August this year, an inquest at the City of London Coroner’s Court heard.
In a statement read by assistant coroner Dr Roy Palmer, stock exchange worker Mr Peroni said: ‘I saw the man climb over, he was about seven feet away from me.
‘I realised he was going to jump. I shouted “don’t do it” and ran and grabbed his right forearm. He pulled away, he did not want to be saved.’
Another witness lawyer Francesco Rochwitzer said: ‘I saw him standing on the wrong side, his face was blank he was not showing any emotion at all.
‘He let go of the balcony and fell down into the atrium.’
Mr Woolnough, from Braintree, had visited his GP two weeks before his death on August 15 complaining of stress, anxiety and low mood.
He was prescribed an anti-depressant and told to return to his GP if he felt unwell at any time.
The inquest heard that just days before his suicide Mr Woolnough made changes to how his pension would be distributed after his death.
Assistant coroner Dr Palmer said: ‘I am not going to read statements from the family but in summary they say what a lovely man Chris was, he was extremely fond of his family.
‘I am so very sorry that you have lost a loved one in such sad circumstances.
A City worker told how he ran from his office, grabbed an IT consultant’s arm and shouted ‘don’t do it’ before the man leapt to his death from the London Stock Exchange
‘On the evidence that I have heard I have to reach a decision that Mr Woolnough took his own life that day.
‘Mr Woolnough committed suicide and killed himself. I am sure you must have many happy memories and I would encourage you to reflect on those.’
After his death Mr Woolnough’s family said he would be missed ‘dearly’.
They said: ‘Chris was a kind and caring family man who worked for 31 years at the London Stock Exchange, as the Service Desk Team Lead.
‘He never married and didn’t have children of his own but was devoted to his three nieces and nephew. He would do anything for them.
‘He will be missed dearly by his family, friends and girlfriend. The world has lost a kind, gentle and caring man.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.