A MAN who became depressed after he was badly injured in a road accident later committed suicide by throwing himself in front of a bus.

An inquest was told David Mellalieu died in hospital two weeks after he had jumped in front of the bus in Blackburn Road, Accrington.

Blackburn coroner Michael Singleton recorded a verdict that Mr Mellelieu, 33 of Persia Street, Accrington, killed himself. He said he had told his psychiatric carer that if he ever committed suicide he would do it by jumping out in front of oncoming traffic.

Jean Mellelieu told the inquest her son had suffered from depression ever since he had been knocked down in 1988 and received serious head and internal injuries.

"He was on medication and doing all right, but then in 1994 his brother Frank died and he got worse."

He had tried to take his own life with an overdose in January, she added.

On June 21 he had arrived at her home and said he had had a row with a lad who had jumped out of a car and started hitting him. "He spent the night, and next morning I made him a brew and some toast.

"He told me he felt like killing himself." Later, police told her he had been involved in a traffic accident.

Her son was transferred to Preston Royal Infirmary from Blackburn where he was operated on, but he died on July 3.

His partner, Patricia Goodwin, told him David was spending most of his time in bed and this was causing problems.

"He said he was feeling paranoid and was having thoughts of killing himself."

However, when he was questioned by a psychiatrist at Queen's Park Hospital in Blackburn he said he was not actively thinking of taking his own life and he was not admitted. Mr Kielty added that he had told him that he if he felt in crisis to contact him immediately.

And he added that if he had been assaulted this might have compounded his suicicdal thoughts. "He was hearing voices and this made him feel desperate. But we agreed we would try to manage it."

Blackburn Transport bus driver Clifford Dickinson said that at 7.30am on June 21 he was driving along Blackburn Road in Accrington when he saw Mr Mellelieu walking along the side of the road. "He stepped out. I tried to avoid him but he was too close."

Mr Dickinson said Mr Mellelieu had been walking towards him and had a clear view. He was travelling at about 25mph. "He knew I was there. He just stepped out. There was nothing I could do," he added.