Bird inquest is told of mass killer's health record

Mass killer Derrick Bird had no record of mental health problems and had a "fairly unremarkable medical history", an inquest heard yesterday.

Bird, 52, who shot dead 12 people and then turned the gun on himself on 2 June last year, was not a frequent visitor to his local GP surgery in Whitehaven, Cumbria.

Doctors at the Flatt Walks surgery confirmed there were no markers in his records which pointed to a need for specialist mental health treatment.

He had, though, complained of suffering flashbacks from an assault he suffered while working as a taxi driver in October 2007. He also said he was subsequently nervous about working at night.

Bird visited the practice on four occasions following the attack and also complained about continuing shoulder pain from the incident, which left him with two broken teeth and bruising to the jaw.

Dr David Rogers told the hearing in Workington that on one occasion a discussion took place about the option of psychiatric help, but the problem apparently settled down with Bird not mentioning the incident in future consultations.

He said: "There is no history of him ever being diagnosed with any mental health problem.

"He was never referred to a specialist and was never given any prescriptions to anything related to a mental health problem."

His medical history at the surgery mainly consisted of problems with his back and minor coughs and colds, Dr Rogers told the inquiry.

HM coroner for North and West Cumbria, David Roberts, asked: "A fairly unremarkable medical history?"

"Yes, it is," the doctor replied.

The hearing into the events was adjourned until today when a psychologist and psychiatrist will give evidence in relation to Bird's state of mind.