Husband explains 'horrific' reason he wants to die with wife in double ‘suicide pod’

Warning: this article discusses suicide which some readers may find distressing. 

Married couple Peter, 86, and Christine Scott, 80 are the first British people to sign up to Switzerland's 'suicide pod' - and Peter has opened up on the devastating events that led to their decision.

The couple, who have expressed their hope to 'die in each other's arms', have been married for 46 years and share six grandchildren.

Peter, a former RAF engineer and Christine, a retired nurse, have made headlines after applying for an assisted death in the Sarco pod.

The pod was created for the use of assisted suicide and passed an independent legal review in Switzerland in 2021.

The capsules, which were made by Exit International with 3D-printing technology, take just 10 minutes to cause a death by filling the pod with nitrogen.

The Sarco pod (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

This then causes a rapid reduction in oxygen levels, leaving the person inside to lose consciousness before passing away.

Peter has explained the 'horrific' reasoning for their decision, with his wife recently being diagnosed with early-stage vascular dementia.

He told the Mail on Sunday: "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."

He continued: "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.

Australian euthanasia activist Philip Nitschke created the 'suicide pod' (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

"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."

Peter then added: "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."

Of her decision, Christine has made peace with spending her last days in Switzerland.

The couple wish to 'die in each other's arms' (ARND WIEGMANN/AFP via Getty Images)

She 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 continued: "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.