‘I’ll never know my son’s last thoughts’

A DAD has described his enduring grief at the mystery surrounding the death of his son at a Saddleworth beauty spot.

An inquest into the death of Oliver Dixon (20) could not prove whether he accidentally fell or deliberately jumped before being found at the bottom of a cliff at Dovestone Reservoir, Greenfield, three days after going missing.

Dad Richard Dixon, from Accrington, said: “It’s hard not knowing. Coming to terms with the fact that someone has killed themselves or had an accident is difficult but you have some answers and closure.

“This is the worst case scenario. I just don’t know his last thoughts. It’s the worst nightmare.”

Yesterday’s inquest in Oldham was packed with friends and 450 people attended much-loved Oliver’s funeral at Christ Church, Friezland.

Nicknamed “Jolly”, Oliver — who had lived in Oldham and Greenfield before moving to Three Counties Way, Mossley — was described as bright, bubbly, outgoing, sociable, caring and generous.

He loved and was very good at his job as an apprentice heating engineer and had lots of friends. An experienced and proficient climber, he had holiday plans and was expecting a pay rise.

But he had a gambling problem, small debts and had just come out of a turbulent relationship with a girlfriend.

He had previously taken an overdose and cut his chest with a piece of broken mirror — though these were classed as a cry for help and attention seeking.

He had not attended community service, imposed after being prosecuted following a row with his girlfriend, and a friend said he realised he could be arrested.

Mr Dixon last saw his son on November 3 when he visited him to find out why he had not been to college and found him acting out of character and unwilling to talk.

When he returned the next day his friends were gathered at the flat and said they had contacted the police as Oliver had been missing all night.

Oliver spoke to a friend by phone on November 4 and seemed in good spirits and was spotted in Uppermill the next day by a PCSO who knew him and said he appeared cheerful. But his body was found the next day by a rock climber at the bottom of Whimberry Rocks.

An unsent text message saved to his mobile phone three days before his death said: “I am sorry to everyone I have hurt. It has to stop now and this is the only way.”

A post mortem examination revealed he died from severe head and abdominal injuries consistent with a fall from height but the injuries would have been more severe if he had fallen from the top.

Cocaine

He was known to taken recreational drugs and cocaine and cannabis were found in his system.

Recording an open verdict, Coroner Simon Nelson said: “I simply cannot be sure how Oliver came by his death.”

He criticised the use of drugs, saying they could have had an adverse influence, but added: “He was such a popular young man and clearly extremely well-liked.”

Mr Bridge said: “I don’t believe he would have knowingly taken his own life. He had too much to live for. It’s possible he had gone up there to clear his head and slipped and lost his footing. You just don’t know.”