Much-loved member of Manchester's Travelling community Paddy Sharp died in friend's caravan after tragic loss of siblings

A well-known member of Manchester's travelling community died in his friend's caravan after taking a large quantity of prescription medication, an inquest has heard. Dad-of-six Patrick Douglas Sharp had nine siblings - and had occasionally struggled with depression following the loss of his little brother Tommy after the sudden death of their sister Helen.

The 41-year-old, known as Paddy, came to Manchester after being born in Newcastle. He had sent a number of text messages to friends and family on the morning of March 6 of this year indicating he had taken a large quantity of prescription medication.

He then arrived at his friend John Warburton's caravan in Station Road, Great Harwood, where he was seen 'stumbling' down the road. Paddy asked John if he could sleep in his caravan but John became concerned that afternoon when he heard a 'gurgling' sound coming from Paddy who appeared to be having difficulty breathing. An ambulance was called but he was later pronounced dead, reports LancsLive.

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After Paddy's death, mourners, including My Big Fat Gypsy Wedding star Paddy Doherty, gathered at Our Lady and the Apostles Church in Stockport where a lavish send-off included a plane leaving a smoke trail in the orange, white and green colours of the Irish flag while a glass carriage pulled by six white horses.

A flat bed truck displaying several large floral tributes, including six hearts for each of his six daughters, was parked opposite the church. Other tributes included a flowers arranged in the shape of the scrap metal worker's truck, while his daughters wore hoodies with a picture of Paddy on the front