The family of the late Colin Jones, who died after crashing into a wall near the Collector's Hill gas station last year, have raised questions as to why he was able to leave St. Brendan's Hospital when he was a patient.

Englishman Mr. Jones, 39, of First Avenue Devonshire, sustained severe head injuries which led to his death, multiple facial bone fractures, fractures to both wrists and sternum, and a fractured leg. He was riding a motor bike.

And witness to the accident, Gilbert S. Trott said on March 3 he saw Jones riding his bike on South Shore Road Devonshire without a helmet.

Ms Claire Hatcher, representing the Jones family questioned members of the hospital staff as to how Jones was able to leave unnoticed, especially since it is required that the staff are made aware when a patient leaves the Somers Ward.'' Somers Ward unit coordinator Debra Tucket said that last year before a few changes were made, nurses in the Nurses' Station could only see the exit via two-way mirrors.

Since then the station has been moved forward enabling the nurses to see who is going out.

"When Mr. Jones disappeared no one knew that he had a motor bike on the property. And although it is the practice to inform a nurse when you are leaving, Mr. Jones did not do so.'' Consultant psychologist at St. Brendan's Hospital, Dr. Sarath Anandagoda, said there was no reason to restrict Jones to the hospital as he had made no attempts to harm himself in the past or prior to his admission to the hospital.

"He had voluntarily admitted himself to the hospital which allowed him the freedom to go out. There are different stages of observation and Mr. Jones was to have his whereabouts known at all times.

"He could not be restricted in his activities on a legal point of view unless he was harmful to himself or others.'' Dr. Anandagoda also said that he did not believe Jones had committed suicide as he was committed to trying to get help for his depressive symptoms.

"Mr. Jones' lack of sleep was one of the reasons why he was in a distressed and agitative state. Sleeping problems are common with depression,'' Dr.

Anandagoda said.

He added that no one knew that Jones had a motor bike on the hospital grounds and even if they had known "it would not have been necessary to take his keys''.

The doctor also said that during interviews with Jones he discovered that he had no suicidal plans or intentions which was made evident in a diary that was found in his room.

"The diary only confirms my opinion that he had absolutely no plans to commit suicide. He only mentions it once at the end of the diary but without any elaboration. The major contents of the diary talks about major problems and how he wants to solve them by either going away or getting some treatment.

"The last note was made three hours before the accident which stated that he was committed to doing his job for the next three months, which shows he was planning ahead for the future. This is quite out of character if he had a suicide intention.'' Dr. Anandagoda also said he felt Jones was hoping to leave for England and was on his way to the travel agent in the Phase I Plaza when the accident occurred.

The inquest continues today before Coroner the Wor. Edward King. The Bermuda Hospital's Board is represented by Mr. John Barritt MP.