The wife of a well-regarded businessman and father from Oldham, who tragically took his own life, shared at an inquest that he succumbed to overwhelming pressures. Dale Harris, a well-known figure in Oldham due to his roles at establishments like Oldham Athletic and a sports charity, received an outpouring of tributes following his death earlier this year.
During the inquest at Rochdale Coroners’ Court, Georgia Harris described her late husband as a loving and lively individual who had been battling mental health challenges since 2018. Despite seeking treatment and medication, he struggled with financial and work-related stress, which significantly impacted his well-being.
Mr. Harris, a father of three, transitioned from his role at Oldham Athletic to Chadderton Football Club, where he faced new challenges and financial strains. His wife mentioned his involvement with trading on Radex Markets, highlighting a particular incident where he sought to withdraw funds before his untimely death.
The court learned that Mr. Harris made distressing attempts on his life after a period of financial strain leading up to his tragic demise. Despite efforts by medical staff at Royal Oldham Hospital, he succumbed to cardiogenic shock induced by a medication overdose, with underlying heart conditions playing a role.
Assistant coroner Ms. Mitchell concluded that Mr. Harris deliberately took the fatal overdose, knowing the consequences, and recorded his death as a suicide. The inquest shed light on the challenges he faced, including his struggles with ADHD, which impacted his ability to cope with life’s pressures.