A WINCHESTER fire engine was used in the likely suicide of a newlywed father, an inquest heard.

Darren Harvey, 25, crashed head-on into an appliance in the New Forest last August during a struggle with depression, a hearing was told yesterday.

The Winchester crew, unharmed in the crash, were thanked for their selflessness as they stopped traffic and ensured others were safe.

Firefighter Shaun Coote told the hearing that the engine was returning from an emergency call near Lymington Hospital before the incident on August 22, which came seven weeks after Mr Harvey's marriage.

The coroner said it was "probable" the 25-year-old killed himself but was not sure enough to record a verdict of suicide.

Winchester Coroner's Court was told how the mechanic, of Portsmouth Road, Woolston, had suffered from depression and anger management problems and had attempted to take his life in the past.

"All he would say was he wasn't good enough for anyone, he was a bad dad, he was a bad fiancé, he was a bad mechanic, everyone would be better off if he wasn't here," said his 22-year-old widow, Becki Harvey.

After becoming upset on August 22, Mr Harvey phoned his father-in-law asking him to "look after" Ms Harvey before getting into his Ford Puma, the inquest heard.

"I tried to smash the window, but I couldn't," Ms Harvey said.

"I was just screaming at him to open the door and he just looked at me. I thought he was going to go and kill himself.

"I stood in front of the car and locked the gates - he just drove me out of the way and he just drove off."

The crash occurred at around 10.55pm on the A337 near Hollands Wood Campsite, between Lyndhurst and Brockenhurst.

Footage from the first engine's dashboard showed Mr Harvey's Ford Puma moving to the centre of the unlit road before colliding with the engine, which veered right and into greenery on the other side.

The car overturned and Mr Harvey died instantly, the inquest heard.

Hampshire Constabulary collision investigator Michael Johnson said Mr Harvey was not wearing a seatbelt when he struck the fire engine at an estimated 60mph.

Recording a verdict of death due to road traffic collision, senior central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short said: "I cannot believe that he did not see the lights on the fire engine. I therefore believe it's probable that this was a deliberate act."

Police Sergeant Darren Ord paid tribute to the Winchester firefighters. "Their first thoughts were for others rather than themselves," he said.

In a statement after the inquest, Ms Harvey said: “Darren was a loving, caring husband, and was a wonderful father to his two sons. He was the kind of person who would always be there for anyone in need.

"Darren died just seven weeks after our marriage - we had planned a long and happy life together, and I will honour him by keeping his memory alive and ensuring that his sons know what a fantastic person he was - I will always be there for his boys as they grow up.

"We also want to thank the fire officers, who without hesitation, thought of Darren first and foremost."