A SOUTHEND man who died after being hit by a car laid down in the road to “deliberately” end his life, an inquest has ruled.

Stuart Chiddicks, 30, tragically died following an incident in Southchurch Road in the early hours of December 21, 2022.

Mr Chiddicks was wounded after being struck by a car, and later succumbed to his injuries on the way to Southend Hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

At an inquest held in Chelmsford on Wednesday senior coroner Lincoln Brookes said Mr Chiddicks had died from multiple injuries.

The court heard Mr Chiddicks had a considerable amount of alcohol in his system at the time of his death, which “not directly caused his death” but “played a role” in what happened.

Mr Chiddicks suffered from mental health problems, which Mr Brookes considered as a contributing factor to his death.

Police officers PC Jaqueline Dean and PC Alan Barlow, a forensic collision investigator, both gave evidence around the Essex Police’s investigation.

The court heard police were able to obtain CCTV footage, which showed Mr Chiddicks lying down on Southchurch Road before a car approached and struck him.

Police re-enacted the incident soon after and came to the conclusion that the incident could not have been avoided, as Mr Chiddicks was wearing dark clothes and was facing away from traffic.

Mr Brookes ruled the death as a suicide, saying: “I do find that he had been drinking a lot, his mother said 20 cans of lager, when he was at her home.

“He seemed down and distressed when he left.

“This is a deliberate action, his back to the traffic and to wait.

“He was feeling very low and had suicidal thoughts and acted on them to completion.”

Mr Brookes offered his deepest condolences to the family, friends and loved ones.

Speaking after the inquest, Mr Chiddicks’ mum Jill said: “I miss him very much. He is my angel.”

His sister Rachel said the family “still miss him.”

Anyone needing help should contact the Samaritans on 116123.