A HEALTH technician shot himself in the head after being suspended for making a politically incorrect joke.

Roy Amor had jokingly told a black friend and colleague that he "better hide" after he spotted immigration officials at their workplace, Britain's Mail on Sunday reported.

Although the man was not offended, someone who overheard the remark was, and complained to Mr Amor's bosses at Opcare, which makes prosthetic limbs.

Mr Amor, 61, was said to be devastated at the prospect of losing his job and shot himself outside his house, near Bolton, England, just hours after receiving an email from his bosses.

The email had asked him to explain his comment.

According to The Mail on Sunday, Mr Amor left three notes, all of which mentioned Opcare.

One of his friends told the paper: "Roy made a joke along the lines that his friend had better hide in case the officers found him.

"It was nothing more than a good-humoured joke but apparently someone overheard it and made an official complaint because they thought it was racist.

"Roy was devastated when he was suspended and was worried he might lose his job."

Mr Amor had worked at the prosthetics clinic for 30 years and had not faced any disciplinary action before.

Suicide prevention

Lifeline - 13 11 14 (24-hour help line) www.lifeline.org.au

SANE Australia - 1800 18 SANE (7263) www.SANE.org

Beyondblue Info Line - 1300 22 4636 www.beyondblue.org.au