London chef's job loss ends in tube suicide

A SECOND chef has committed suicide after becoming depressed about losing his job.

Pietro Dellapina, 64, of North Harrow, London, died after stepping in front of an underground train at South Kensington station in September.

The jury at Westminster Coroner's Court returned a verdict of suicide after hearing that Dellapina had been treated by his GP for depression after losing his position with a London restaurant. Dr Kirit Amin said he had also treated Dellapina for depression in 1994.

Train driver Tom Nevin said he saw Dellapina walk towards the train as he was approaching the platform. "There was nothing strange about this because people normally walk towards the train, only he didn't stop."

Pathologist Dr Iain West gave the cause of death as multiple injuries and said no trace of alcohol or drugs was found.

In June another chef, who was struggling to pay for his wedding and rent arrears, hanged himself after hearing he was to lose his job.

Self-employed Jonathan Atkins was told that he was to lose his franchise at London's Apollo theatre in Victoria in June. Later that day his flatmate found him hanging in his home in Battersea.

by Pierre de Villiers and Christina Golding