Heartbroken woman took her own life hours after fiance was killed in road accident

A heartbroken woman took her own life shortly after her fiance was killed in a road accident, an inquest has concluded.

Alice Robinson, 26, sent a text to her partner Jason Francis around an hour after being informed of his death, telling him she loved him and expressing "her intention to join him”.

She was later found dead in her car in the city of Perth, Australia, on December 23 last year.

Her neighbours, who revealed Ms Robinson’s heartbreaking final moments, said she dropped to the ground after receiving the news.

Thousands of pounds were donated to a fundraiser for the couple’s families following their deaths.

The Shropshire-born couple were engaged and had emigrated to Australia, where Ms Robinson, a fine art graduate, worked for a lifestyle magazine and her partner, a former RAF firefighter, was an asbestos technician in the construction sector.

An inquest in Shrewsbury was told Mr Francis had been a semi-professional footballer and played for a rugby club in Australia.

He was struck by a car at about 8pm on December 22 last year, near the home he shared with his fiancee, after socialising with friends from the rugby club.

Witnesses said he had been lying in the road and was struck despite a nearby van flashing its lights to alert the car driver.

The inquest heard Ms Robinson was followed out of the hospital by a nurse, who tried to get her to return, but she left at about 9.30pm.

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Coroner John Ellery told the inquest that at 10.21pm, mobile phone records showed Ms Robinson had sent a text message "expressing her love and indicating her intention to join him".

Ms Robinson’s parents, Leigh and Dawn Robinson, have now called for changes to procedures at the Royal Perth Hospital following the "avoidable" death of their daughter.

In a statement issued at the conclusion of the inquest, Ms Robinson's parents said they believed their daughter - who died after drinking alcohol and taking tablets - should not have been allowed to leave hospital alone after learning of her fiance's death.

Ms Robinson had "died of a broken heart" after being overcome with shock, her parents said, although they stressed that they did not wish to blame any individual over her death.

Mr and Mrs Robinson said in a statement: “At the hospital in the interview room alone, Alice was informed that Jason had died. Stunned, overcome and in shock she asked for some air and was shown outside. When she was outside, at her request, she was left alone and she ran to her car and left the hospital.

"In our opinion this should never have happened.

"It is our belief that both the police and the Royal Perth Hospital are accountable. We have asked that they reflect on this incident and consider reviewing their practices.”

The coroner recorded narrative findings that Mr Francis died in a road collision, while Ms Robinson's death was "suicide linked to Jason's death”.

Mr Ellery said: "Alice's death is inextricably linked to the death of her intended fiance. This is a double tragedy. Can I only offer my condolences to you and your family."

For confidential emotional support at times of distress, contact The Samaritans at any time by calling 116 123 or emailing jo@samaritans.org