A transport manager killed himself after being furloughed.
Grahame Tarrant, 58, threw himself in a river after his mental health worsened while he was stuck indoors.
Yesterday neighbour Phil Hull said: “Being furloughed pushed him over the top and he couldn’t cope.”
An inquest heard how Grahame quite his job after 15 weeks without work.
Phil, who called police when his neighbour went missing in Chorley, Lancs, said: “Grahame worked every day of his life – always first in and the last to leave – and he could not deal with not working.
"He was applying for jobs but nobody wanted him because no one was taking people on.”
Phil said that Grahame had savings of £28,000, but lived on £1 ready meals and switched off gadgets in the mistaken belief he would run out of cash.
“He used to sit in the dark in his flat with the fridge unplugged to save money,” Phil revealed.
“He turned everything off that he was not using, except his mobile phone. He was a lovely bloke but he obviously had problems.”
Last week’s inquest at Accrington heard Mr Tarrant was found submerged in water on August 22 last year.
He was not married and had no kids.
Coroner Richard Taylor said: “He told his doctor that his main concern was of a financial nature, and he was worried how he could live without work.
“It is more likely than not that he took his own life, and I record a conclusion of suicide.”
Last December another coroner voiced alarm at the “awful” spate of lockdown suicides.
John Gittins, of North Wales, spoke out after dealing with seven in just a week.
If you're struggling and need to talk, the Samaritans operate a free helpline open 24/7 on 116 123. Alternatively, you can email jo@samaritans.org or visit their site to find your local branch
