Man who died at Kingsland Centre named

Psychiatric patient named as 44-year-old Christopher Tipton, a resident of Thornford Park Hospital, Crookham Hill

THE man who died in Thatcham town centre cafe on Tuesday (September 6) has been identified as 44-year-old Christopher Tipton, a psychiatric patient at Thornford Park Hospital the medium-secure hospital for the mentally ill on Crookham Hill, Thatcham.

Onlookers told how Mr Tipton's three carers, who had accompanied him on his day out, which was a regular occurrence, battled to save him after he apparently choked on his breakfast at the Kingsland Café in the Kingsland Centre, but to no avail.

He was then taken to Basingstoke and North Hampshire Hospital, but he did not recover.

Thornford Park Hospital spokeswoman Caroline Walker said: “Our thoughts and sympathies are with the resident's family and friends at this difficult time. Everyone at the hospital is shocked and saddened. It was a tragic unexpected death and we await the outcome of the post mortem and coroner's inquest.”