A Brookes student impaled himself while trying to jump over some railings in an Oxford park, a coroner’s court heard.

Suhith Mahendra, 23, was said to have been on his way back from picking-up food with a friend in the early hours of May 19 when they cut through an alleyway near council-owned Headington Hill Park.

He reportedly tried to ‘climb or jump’ over some metal railings but impaled himself on the spikes. He suffered two wounds to his abdomen.

READ MORE: What happens in an inquest?

When the paramedics arrived, they found Mr Mahendra’s friend performing chest compressions.

Senior coroner Darren Salter said Mr Mahendra was taken to the John Radcliffe Hospital but died later that morning. His death was verified by a doctor at 5.25am.

Opening the inquest into his death yesterday, Mr Salter noted that the impaling victim was born in July 1998 in India. He was a student at Oxford Brookes University and lived in halls off Hollow Way, Cowley.

In a statement last night, a spokesman for Oxford Brookes University said: “It is with great sadness that we can confirm that Suhith Mahendra died following an incident on Cuckoo Lane at the boundary with Clive Booth Student Village on May 19.

“Our thoughts are with his family and friends at this very difficult time.

“We are supporting his family and those affected by this incident. Students are encouraged to contact the University’s Wellbeing Service if they need emotional support, or they can access 24/7 support from TogetherAll.”

Mr Mahendra is understood to have been studying for a Masters degree in marketing at the time of his death.

A full inquest into Mr Mahendra’s death will be held on August 25.

The purpose of an inquest is to establish the identity of the person who died, when they died and how they came by their death.

Coroners typically record one of a number of ‘conclusions’. Previously termed ‘verdicts’, they include accidental death, road traffic accident, suicide or a ‘narrative’ conclusion where the facts surrounding someone’s death may be less clear.

Inquests are normally held when someone suffers a non-natural death, although they are also held where the person’s experience at work may have contributed to their death – for example, through working with asbestos.

They are held in public and may take place in front of a jury, usually if the actions of the state contributed to the person’s death.

For support, contact the Samaritans by calling 116 123 or visit www.samaritans.org.

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This story was written by Tom Seaward. He joined the team in 2021 as Oxfordshire's court and crime reporter.  

To get in touch with him email: Tom.Seaward@newsquest.co.uk

Follow him on Twitter: @t_seaward