The devoted partner of a man who died after stepping onto a busy road made a desperate plea to get him crisis support the day before the tragedy.

Stuart Crawford, of Briston, died in hospital on May 1 - the day after being hit by a lorry on the A148 Holt Bypass. He was 54.

An inquest into his death heard that the father-of-three had deliberately walked onto the road intending to end his life.

But during the hearing, his partner of 33 years described being frustrated with attempts to get him the mental health support he sorely needed.

Rebecca Grand said in a statement read to Norfolk Coroner's Court that in the early hours of April 29, she had made a call to the NHS 111 crisis phoneline in a bid to access support.

She said she made the call after her partner's mental health had deteriorated to the point he was not eating or sleeping and appeared paranoid.

But the phone call was ended after Mr Crawford claimed to the crisis worker that his partner was "overreacting".

It was not until Ms Grant escalated her concerns to a GP that an urgent referral was made. An assessment was arranged for Mr Crawford and had been due to take place at his home on the day of the incident on April 30.

READ MORE: Tribute to 'one-in-a-million daddy' following inquest into tragic death

Ms Grand said: "Had the help come when I called, I am sure he would still be with us.

"Professionals should listen to the partners of people who are struggling more."

Jacqueline Lake, senior coroner for Norfolk, concluded that Mr Crawford's death had been suicide.

She said: "I have considered the family's concerns about the actions of the GP and mental health team in Mr Crawford's care.

"I am satisfied that Mr Crawford's GP saw him regularly and he was referred urgently to the mental health team.

"The mental health team contacted him but unfortunately he died before an assessment could take place."

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