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Parents speak on assisted suicide Parents speak on assisted suicide
(30 minutes later)
The parents of a paralysed rugby player who travelled to a Swiss assisted suicide clinic have said their son had tried several times to kill himself.The parents of a paralysed rugby player who travelled to a Swiss assisted suicide clinic have said their son had tried several times to kill himself.
Daniel James, 23, of Worcester, died on 12 September in a clinic where he had travelled with the intention of killing himself, an inquest heard.Daniel James, 23, of Worcester, died on 12 September in a clinic where he had travelled with the intention of killing himself, an inquest heard.
Julie and Mark James said he did not want to live a second-class existence.Julie and Mark James said he did not want to live a second-class existence.
West Mercia Police said they had been in contact with a man and a woman following the death.West Mercia Police said they had been in contact with a man and a woman following the death.
'Welcome relief''Welcome relief'
On Friday the family's solicitor, Adrian Harling, declined to comment on the police's action.On Friday the family's solicitor, Adrian Harling, declined to comment on the police's action.
Mr James' parents, from Sinton Green, Worcester, said their son had tried several times to kill himself before he "gained his wish".Mr James' parents, from Sinton Green, Worcester, said their son had tried several times to kill himself before he "gained his wish".
Describing him as an intelligent young man of sound mind, they said his death was "no doubt a welcome relief from the 'prison' he felt his body had become and the day-to-day fear and loathing of his living existence".Describing him as an intelligent young man of sound mind, they said his death was "no doubt a welcome relief from the 'prison' he felt his body had become and the day-to-day fear and loathing of his living existence".
"This is the last way that the family wanted Dan's life to end but he was, as those who know him are aware, an intelligent, strong-willed and some say determined young man."This is the last way that the family wanted Dan's life to end but he was, as those who know him are aware, an intelligent, strong-willed and some say determined young man.
Mr James (centre) played for England Under 16s and England studentsMr James (centre) played for England Under 16s and England students
"Over the last six months he constantly expressed his wish to die and was determined to achieve this in some way.""Over the last six months he constantly expressed his wish to die and was determined to achieve this in some way."
Assisted suicide is illegal in the UK, although the practice is tolerated by the authorities in Switzerland.Assisted suicide is illegal in the UK, although the practice is tolerated by the authorities in Switzerland.
The clinic Dignitas, where all known British assisted suicides have taken place, said that due to privacy laws it could not disclose whether Mr James was one of its members.The clinic Dignitas, where all known British assisted suicides have taken place, said that due to privacy laws it could not disclose whether Mr James was one of its members.
He is believed to be the youngest person from Britain to have gone to Switzerland to take his own life, according to a spokesman for Dignity in Dying.
Mr James suffered a collapsed spine in a scrum during a training session at Nuneaton Rugby Club in March 2007.Mr James suffered a collapsed spine in a scrum during a training session at Nuneaton Rugby Club in March 2007.
The former pupil at Worcester Royal Grammar School was paralysed from the chest down. An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on 19 September.The former pupil at Worcester Royal Grammar School was paralysed from the chest down. An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on 19 September.
'Great lad'
A trust set up in his name after his accident has raised nearly £25,000 for spinal research. Mr James also played for the England Universities rugby team and England Students team.A trust set up in his name after his accident has raised nearly £25,000 for spinal research. Mr James also played for the England Universities rugby team and England Students team.
He made one appearance for England Universities in 2005 and five appearances for England Students between 2006 and 2007.He made one appearance for England Universities in 2005 and five appearances for England Students between 2006 and 2007.
A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union said he was a very good player who was highly regarded by his team-mates.A spokesman for the Rugby Football Union said he was a very good player who was highly regarded by his team-mates.
One friend on the social networking website Facebook said he was the "epitome of a great rugby lad".One friend on the social networking website Facebook said he was the "epitome of a great rugby lad".
The tribute said he was "tough, uncompromising, driven and skilful on the pitch, yet off it a lovely bloke with a heart of gold".The tribute said he was "tough, uncompromising, driven and skilful on the pitch, yet off it a lovely bloke with a heart of gold".
Sarah Wootton, chief executive of Dignity in Dying, said: "It demonstrates, once again that, even though assisted suicide is illegal in this country, it is happening.
"Dignity in Dying campaigns for terminally ill, mentally competent adults to have the option of an assisted death, subject to legal safeguards.
"Dan James would not have been eligible for an assisted death under this sort of legislation.
"But, if it were in place, requests for help to die could be expressed openly to doctors rather than made to relatives behind closed doors.
"People such as Dan James with non-terminal conditions, who expressed a wish to die, could openly discuss their concerns and be given greater support managing their conditions."