A CHAMPION race car driver died in ‘traumatic and catastrophic’ circumstances when he jumped off the top of a town centre car park on New Year’s day, an inquest into his death heard.

Mark Patrick Flaherty, 59, of Church Lane, Ascot, had driven his black Land Rover defender to the Oracle shopping centre car park in Reading on the morning of New Year’s Day.

The successful racing car driver had suffered with depression, an inquest in Reading heard last week. 

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Detective Constable Nicole Jury said police had uncovered CCTV footage which showed Mr Flaherty arriving at the Riverside car park where he parked up and made his way to the top of the building. 

Ian Wade KC, the Assistant Coroner for Berkshire, heard how Mr Flaherty appeared to 'change his mind' and headed for the exit, where he walked to the wine bar All Bar One, on the Riverside. 

He ordered a ‘stiff drink’ of whiskey and a water and sat in the outdoor seating area, smoking a few cigarettes, the inquest at Reading Coroner's Court heard.

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Mr Flaherty then returned to the Oracle car park where this time, he jumped from the building.

'Highly distressed’ members of the public called 999 after hearing a loud bang.

He was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mr Flaherty’s medical records from the Wokingham Medical Centre showed he had been suffering from depression since 2000 and was diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder in 2008.

“There is evidence to suggest Mark was struggling with his mental health and had been for many years”, Mr Wade told the court.

The coroner concluded on Monday (September 4) that Mr Flaherty had died from suicide and said what he did was ‘carefully thought out and deliberate’.

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Mr Wade observed: “There was only one outcome that was either likely or contemplated.”

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