GP and Press columnist Dr Zak died after cliff fall

Zakariya Waqar-Uddin, who was known as Dr Zak, went missing from his home in Lancashire and was found at the foot of Huntcliff in Saltburn nine days later on May 21. He was just 44.

Dr Zakariya had previously written a weekly health column in The Press, and tributes poured in following his death.

The inquest heard he had travelled to Teesside, where he had a flat up for sale.

His family reported him missing when they did not hear from him, and coastguard teams discovered his body on May 21.

An inquest at Teesside Coroners’ Court heard how Dr Zakariya died from multiple injuries due to a fall from a height.

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His mother Patricia Waqar-Uddin described her son as “charming, helpful, and very compassionate to all who he met”.

He had “no airs and graces” despite his successful career and was the “best son any parents could ever hope for in life”, she said.

The inquest on Tuesday (March 3) heard how he had previously suffered from stress following the breakdown of his marriage and the dissolution of his GP partnership.

However, there was no mention of any mental health concerns when he spoke with a dermatologist two months before his death.

After he was reported missing, a search was launched across Teesside after his dark purple VW Touran was found.

Dr Zak was identified through his dental records and there were no significant toxicology findings, a report confirmed.

Dr Zak’s former partner Laura Jane Dunning, whom he married in October 2016 and shared a daughter, Jasmine, told the inquest: “I am distraught and I am very sad that Jasmine has lost her father. She will continue to be loved and cherished and I know she will make him extremely proud.

“I hope Zak found his peace and I thank him for the many happy times we had together.”

During the inquest, Coroner Bailey had to consider whether Dr Zak had intended to take his own life, but this was ruled out.

Ms Waqar-Uddin said her son had not been agitated when he left his home and she did not believe he intended to take his own life.

She said there was no communication about intent left at his home and that he was also applying for jobs: “He had too many plans for the future.”

Coroner Bailey recorded a narrative conclusion, saying : “Dr Zak was found dead at the bottom of Huntcliff in Saltburn on May 21. It is not known how or when he exited the top of Huntcliff.”

In a statement, Ms Waqar-Uddin said Dr Zak treated his patients with the “same care and respect he gave to his family”.

She said: “He often spoke of the joy and satisfaction being a GP brought to him.

“To us he was the best son any parents could ever hope for in life and we will miss him deeply for the rest of our lives.

“He was grateful to his youngest brother Yusuf for the love and support he extended to him.

“He cared and loved his daughter Jasmine but missed her greatly.”

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