Couple will 'die in each other's arms' as first Brits to sign up to controversial double 'suicide pod'

Warning: This article contains discussion of suicide which some readers may find distressing.

A couple will 'die in each other's arms' as the first Brits to sign up to the extremely controversial double 'suicide pod'.

Peter, 86, and Christine Scott, 80, who hail from Suffolk and have been married for 46 years, plan on dying together in the Sarco death capsule in Switzerland, the Mail on Sunday reports.

The former RAF engineer and his retired nurse wife - who have six grandchildren - made the decision after Christine was recently diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia.

A British couple have signed up to become the first British couple to use a double 'suicide pod' (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

The Sarco pods have been designed for use in assisted suicide and passed an independent legal review in Switzerland back in 2021.

The portable capsules, which are made with 3D-printing technology by Exit International, would take approximately 10 minutes to confirm a death.

The death is caused by the pods being filled with nitrogen which subsequently causes the rapid reduction of oxygen levels leaving the person inside to lose consciousness before eventually dying.

Explaining their choice, Peter told the outlet: "We have had long, happy, healthy, fulfilled lives but here we are in old age and it does not do nice things to you.

"The idea of watching the slow degradation of Chris' mental abilities in parallel to my own physical decline is horrific to me.

The couple made the decision after Christine Scott was recently diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

"Obviously I would care for her to the point I could not, but she has nursed enough people with dementia during her career to be adamant she wants to remain in control of herself and her life. Assisted dying gives her that opportunity and I would not want to go on living without her."

He continued: "We understand other people may not share our feelings and we respect their position. What we want is the right to choose. I find it deeply depressing we can't do that here in the UK.

"Yet look at the alternative. The chances of getting prompt NHS treatment for the ailments of old age seem pretty remote so you end up trapped by infirmity and pain.

"I don't want to go into care, to be lying in bed dribbling and incontinent - I don't call that a life.

"Finally, the Government swoops in to take your savings and your house to pay for it all."

The couple explained their decision being partly due to fears of suffering years within a failing NHS and losing their home and life savings to pay care costs (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

Detailing her plans for her final days, Christine said: "I’d like to go walking with Peter in the Swiss Alps, by a river. I’d have a beautiful plate of fish for my last supper, and enjoy a great bottle of Merlot.

"I’d make a playlist including 'Wild Cat Blues' and 'The Young Ones' by Cliff Richard and I’ve found a poem called Miss Me But Let Me Go, which sums up exactly how I feel."

She added: "It's a lovely life but I have this diagnosis, and that's crystallised our thinking.

"Medicine can slow vascular dementia but it can't stop it. At the point I thought I was losing myself, I'd say: 'This is it, Pete, I don't want to go any further'."

If you’ve been affected by any of these issues and want to speak to someone in confidence, please don’t suffer alone. Call Samaritans for free on their anonymous 24-hour phone line on 116 123.