Man kills himself while talking to partner on Skype phone

Adrian Rowland, 53, from Reading, Berkshire, is said to have committed suicide on Sunday while talking to his partner using internet video phone service Skype.

She contacted British police, who liaised with the Foreign Office to dispatch Indian authorities to try to save him.

Police said the man was found by medics but was later pronounced dead.

A Thames Valley Police spokeswoman confirmed they received a call on Sunday morning from a woman “regarding the fear for welfare of a man in India”.

The spokeswoman said: “Officers attended an address in Reading to obtain information that could be passed on to the Indian authorities via the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and provide reassurance to the woman who made the report to us.

“The man was traced, but regrettably was later pronounced dead by doctors in India. Officers attended the address to inform the woman.”

Mr Rowland is reported to have worked for car part manufacturing company Adwest Engineering, based in Woodley, Berks.

A Foreign Office spokeswoman said: “We can confirm that a British national died in India on November 27.

“Staff are in touch with next of kin and are providing consular assistance.”