London, Oct 28 (IANS): A 67-year-old man and his disabled wife in Britain gassed themselves in their Rolls-Royce since the husband felt he was unable to take care of his wife anymore, an inquest heard in Britain.

Bill Warburton, a retired company director, was found dead at the wheel of the car while his 66-year-old wife Mary was sitting close by in her wheelchair with her hand on the car's bonnet, the Daily Mail reported.

The couple, who were described as pillars of the local community, had planned their suicide pact after Warburton began to struggle as full-time carer to his wife, who could barely walk and suffered from spells of confusion. Richard, the couple's son, found their bodies several days after they were last seen by family and a neighbour, the hearing was told.

The father had been feeling a bit low since his wife returned home following a hospital stay, Richard Warburton told the inquest.
He said his mother had been in hospital for three or four months and his father was "quite happy she was getting the care that she needed".

"He could go and see her."

"When she came home, she needed 24-hour care and he found it very difficult," the son said.

"But he (the father) was of the generation that thought you did not take help and if offered you say no - you can deal with it," Richard added.