Tragedy as teacher sets fire to himself at school

David Charlesworth suffered severe burns in the early hours of Wednesday and, despite the best efforts of emergency services, died late on Thursday afternoon.

The 43-year-old was married and his wife Jenny, a part-time teacher, is believe to be pregnant with their second child.

Mr Charlesworth, a teacher at Rossett School, a specialist maths and computing school in Harrogate, was found in the school’s car park and was rushed to Pinderfields Hospital in Wakefield.

Paramedics and firefighters from Harrogate fought to save him after the incident in Green Lane at 3.30am on Wednesday.

Stunned students and staff at Rossett School paid tribute to a “popular and well regarded” teacher.

Headteacher Pat Hunter said a special assembly had been held at the school on Thursday morning.

She said: “We are all naturally shocked and devastated by what happened in the early hours of Wednesday.

“David was an excellent teacher, very well liked by both staff and students, and there is a great sense of loss amongst all of us.”

One student said Mr Charlesworth was possibly one of the best teachers Rossett ever had, while another said he made science worth turning up for.

Other present and former students paid tribute on Twitter, with one saying: “Just heard my old science teacher committed suicide yesterday by setting himself on fire. How awful is that? Thoughts to his family.”

Another said: “Mr Charlesworth was my form tutor at Rossett. He will be greatly missed. He was a brilliantly funny man and kind- hearted.”

Some members of Facebook set up a tribute group to the teacher in which one remarked: “Taught a lot of people and not just about chemistry, a great, great man, teacher and friend.”

North Yorkshire County Council’s Children’s and Young People’s Service is in contact with the school to ensure that any advice or support which may be needed is readily available.

A spokesman for North Yorkshire Police said: “We can confirm that a 43-year-old man who was admitted to Pinderfields with severe burns on Wednesday, May 11, following an incident in the Green Lane area of Harrogate, was pronounced dead on Thursday, May 12.

“There are no suspicious circumstances and no one else is being sought in connection with the incident.

“A file will be prepared on behalf of the coroner.”

Neighbours have paid also paid tribute to Mr Charlesworth.

Yesterday the blinds at the chemistry teacher’s smart detached home in Harrogate were drawn as one woman left a large bunch of yellow and white flowers outside the door.

Speaking in tribute to Mr Charlesworth one unnamed neighbour said: “He was a lovely young man with a lovely babe and a wife – really pleasant, just a lovely person.”

She added that he had grown up in the area.

Neighbour Helen Nassiri, 44, said her children Dani, 14, and James, 12, both attend Rossett School and paid tribute to the staff member.

She said: “They said he was down at Rossett as one of the most legendary teachers.

“He used to get on really well with all the kids and all the teachers. He was really well liked.”

About ten metres in from the entrance of nearby Rossett School at least three more bunches of flowers and several notes lay in the shade of a young tree.

One note read: “Dear family of Mr Charlesworth. He was a great teacher, he taught me for 2 years and I have done the best I have ever done.”