![Pinterest](https://pinterest.com/pin/create/button/?url=https://uknews.evprotec.com/mark-flaherty-dead-four-time-uk-champion-rally-driver-found-dead-aged-59-in-catastrophic-tragedy/&media=https://uknews.evprotec.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/09/newspress-collage-23807794-1693911634305.jpg&description=A CHAMPION rally car driver was found dead after a battle with depression, an inquest heard. Mark Flaherty, 59, a four-time British champion in the 90s, died in "catastrophic' circumstances, a coroner said. 2 Rally car driver Mark Flaherty, pictured in 2020 at Lydden Hill Circuit, died on New Year's Day Credit: Rex 2 The 59-year-old, seen here before a test drive in 2021, was a four-time British champion Credit: Rex The ace had driven his black Land Rover defender to the Oracle shopping centre car park in Reading on December 3. Cops later found the motor 'neatly and properly parked' with its interior 'neat and in good condition', the coroner said yesterday. Detective Constable Nicole Jury said Mr Flaherty parked up and took a lift to the seventh floor of the town centre building. The rally legend visited a spot but appeared to change his mind, before heading to a nearby All Bar One for a whiskey and water. He then sat in the outdoor seating area to finish the drinks and smoked a few cigarettes, Reading Coroners' Court heard. Mr Flaherty of Ascot, Berks., returned to the top of the car park and was later found dead by "highly distressed" members of the public. Ian Wade KC, Assistant Coroner for Berkshire, said: 'There was, of course, nothing anyone could have done." RALLY TRAGEDY Mr Flaherty was recorded as having depression in 2000 and diagnosed with bipolar affective disorder in 2008, the court heard. At a mental health assessment on January 17 last year, Mr Flaherty had 'expressed regret over wrong decisions in life, described himself as being horrible and narcissistic, spoke of his plans to live in Spain, expressed desire to have therapy to address his various problems and his feelings of guilt.' He had a history of suicidal thoughts and alcohol problems, mental health nurse Godfrey Karambakuwa said. Mr Flaherty discharged himself from the Wokingham mental health services on February 2 last year. Mr Karambakuwa added: 'At the time of discharge, he was going throu){kind=link}
A CHAMPION rally car driver was found dead after a battle with depression, an inquest heard.
Mark Flaherty, 59, a four-time British champion in the 90s, died in “catastrophic” circumstances, a coroner said.
The ace had driven his black Land Rover defender to the Oracle shopping centre car park in Reading on December 3.
Cops later found the motor “neatly and properly parked” with its interior “neat and in good condition”, the coroner said yesterday.
Detective Constable Nicole Jury said Mr Flaherty parked up and took a lift to the seventh floor of the town centre building.