Traumatised Victoria Cross winner tells of 100mph suicide bid

Aside from the fact this decorated hero is talking about PTSD and his suicide attempt, it also shows that we will never know how many have committed suicide in car accidents and motorcycle accidents. We won't know how many had these accidents while having a flashback or because they did not want to live in pain anymore. We also don't know how many were spared because they finally understood they could heal the scars of war.

• Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry was awarded the Victoria Cross in 2005 for his actions in May and June, 2004. Picture: PA

But he said that despite his bravery, the engagements had left him tortured by nightmares: "During the daytime I can keep busy to keep away the demons, but at night when I'm alone with my thoughts, my mind drifts back to my friends being blown up and all those I left behind."

Traumatised Victoria Cross winner tells of 100mph suicide bid
Date: 18 May 2010
By CRAIG BROWN
A VICTORIA Cross-decorated soldier has told how depression and nightmares pushed to him attempt suicide by driving his car into a lamppost at high speed.




Lance Corporal Johnson Beharry, who saw action in Iraq, has said that he hoped the car crash would "be my end" after being tormented by depression and nightmares.

The 30-year-old, who was awarded Britain's highest military honour for twice saving comrades while under fire, said: "Sometimes you just can't get away from the things you have seen."

Speaking out about his problems, he said he had stormed out of his house after an early-morning argument with his partner in December, 2008. The soldier, of the 1st Battalion, Princess of Wales's Royal Regiment, drove off and accelerated as he raced down a street in south-east London.

L/Cpl Beharry said: "I picked a lamppost which seemed to be next to a slightly raised section of pavement and drove straight for it. I looked at the road and there was nobody. So I thought if I could hit the side of the pavement and then the lamppost, I could damage the fuel tank and hit the electricity to create a spark which would set the car on fire. So I did it.

"I heard a huge crash as the right hand side of my car collided with the lamppost. I closed my eyes and hoped that would be my end."

His car was destroyed in the 100mph crash, and although L/Cpl Beharry was knocked unconscious, he escaped with minor scrapes and bumps.

The soldier was awarded the Victoria Cross for his actions in May and June, 2004.