A FORMER soldier who suffered from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder after serving in the Gulf War set fire to himself days after the death of his mother who had been his main carer.

After Philip Stuart Clark’s death, his brother Michael learned he had bought a plot next to his mother’s grave, an inquest heard.

Mr Clark, 46, who had a history of mental illness, died at Whiston Hospital on Merseyside on October 19, hours after he was seen engulfed in flames near his blazing car outside the library in Connah’s Quay.

Witnesses whose statements were read at the hearing in Ruthin described how they rushed to his aid after spotting the blaze at about 8.30am.

First on the scene was Penri Cunnah who had been swimming in the nearby pool.

He told how he tried to tell Mr Clark, who was mumbling incoherently, to roll on the grass because there was an early-morning dew.

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Emergency services staff at the scene after the fire incident involving Philip Clark last autumn

“He didn’t look as if he wanted help,” said Mr Cunnah.

“He just stood still as if in a state of pure shock and delirium.”

Resident Tamas Pocsai and another passer-by wrapped wet towels around Mr Clark.

Mr Clark, of Deiniol Road, Mancot, was taken to the Countess of Chester Hospital and then transferred to Whiston. He was found to have burns over 98 per cent of his body, which was unsurvivable.

On the way to hospital ambulance technician Ann Marie Taylor asked him if he had done it to himself, to which he replied: “Yes.”

Asked if it was his intention to die, he also replied: “Yes”.

Mr Clark also confirmed that he had a history of suicide attempts.

In a statement Michael Clark said his brother had a difficult childhood but joined the Artillery Corps in 1990, spent six months in the Gulf and left the army in 1993.

He suffered from depression and paranoia and took medication for those conditions.

Mr Clark said their mother died in mid-October and on October 17or 18 Philip Clark said he had visited her grave and asked his brother to get in touch with their father.

“I told him not to do anything stupid,” he said, adding: “He was a loving son and our mother thought the world of him.”

Paul Scott, a fire investigator with North Wales Fire and Rescue Service, said the blaze appeared to have been started with a naked flame lighting petrol on the passenger seat of the vehicle, which was completely gutted.

Recording a conclusion of suicide Joanne Lees, assistant coroner for North Wales East and Central, said although Mr Clark left no notes or indication that he meant to kill himself, he had a history of mental health problems, he had made those comments to his brother and there were no suspicious circumstances.