FINAL CALL
Sister found ‘bullied’ brother Bradley John, 14, hanged in toilets after hearing his ring tone
Byron John's son was found dead in St John Lloyd Catholic Comprehensive School on September 13
A GIRL found her 14-year-old brother hanged in the school toilets after she heard his mobile phone ring.
Bradley John, 14, was found hanged at St John Lloyd Roman Catholic School in Llanelli, South Wales two weeks ago after missing lessons.
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His sister Danielle, 12, went straight to the toilets after she learnt he had not been attending lessons as she knew he often hid there to get away from the bullies who had been tormenting him.
When she entered the toilets she heard her brother's mobile ringing on the other side of the door as friends tried to contact him.
Dad Byron John, speaking on This Morning, said: "Danielle knew straight away where he'd be because that was where he'd go.
"The worst thing about it was she heard his phone on the other side of the door as his phone was in his bag.
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"She called two members of staff who unlocked the door from the outside but they wouldn't go in. She was frantic.
"The paramedics were incredible because the chances are he'd been there for an hour and they still tried to save him, they tried for an hour and a half.
"But the minute I saw him, I knew we'd lost him."
He told hosts Holly Willoughby and Phillip Schofield that Bradley would often go to the cubicles of the school if he was upset and call him.
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Heartbroken Byron said: "I had a text message from his sister saying that Bradley hadn't turned up for one of his subjects and that was it.
"I immediately thought that's strange, he wasn't one for bunking off lessons, if he had a problem he would take himself to the toilet cubicles and he'd ring me.
"I tried phoning him. He'd been missing for an hour and ten minutes when he got found, Danielle knew exactly where he would be.
"I had a call from the headmaster - he said Bradley attempted to take his life, paramedics were with him, we got straight in a car."
Bradley was given first aid at the scene and rushed to a nearby hospital but sadly didn't recover.
YOU'RE NOT ALONE
EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost - to suicide.
It doesn't discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society - from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.
It's the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes. And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.
Yet, it's rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.
That is why The Sun has launched the You're Not Alone campaign. To remind anyone facing a tough time, grappling with mental illness or feeling like there's nowhere left to turn, that there is hope.
Throughout the campaign, we will tell you the stories of brave survivors, relatives left behind, heroic Good Samaritans - and share tips from mental health experts.
The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.
Let's all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others.
You're Not Alone.
For a list of support services available, see the Where To Get Help box lower down in the article.
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Police confirmed they were called over concerns for Bradley's welfare and said his death was not being treated as suspicious.
Bradley had ADHD, something his dad described as "part of his fabric, his makeup".
Byron said: "He was certainly not ordinary. He dared to be different, he had an Xbox, spent very little time on it.
"It was the outdoors that he loved, his horses, his quad bike and just doing things.
"His ADHD would cause him to get frustrated, it would cause him to have the occasional meltdown, it also I feel made him very sensitive, hyper sensitivity, he took things to heart.
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WHERE TO GET HELP
If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:
- CALM, , 0800 585 858
- Heads Together,
- Mind, , 0300 123 3393
- Papyrus,, 0800 068 41 41
- Samaritans, , 116 123
"He wanted everyone to love him and I think when people were nasty to him he didn't understand that."
The dad added: "Any child in this position really needs to talk out because they are not the one at fault, the system is flawed.
"The sooner we recognise this and start acting on bullying, kids need role models, they do need boundaries, but they also need to be taught to be kind."
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Last week we reported how Byron had called for the headmaster's resignation, and delivered four letters of complaint.
Gareth Morgans, Director of Education and Children’s Services, said: “Our focus at the moment is supporting everyone involved in this tragic incident.
"We have offered to meet with Mr John and his family to offer any further support that is needed and to hear any concerns that they have. We hope that this will take place early next week.”
If you are affected by any of the issues raised in this article, please call the Samaritans on 116123.
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