A WOMAN who was killed after being hit by a lorry died by suicide by stepping out in front of the vehicle, an inquest found.

Mavis Brason, 68, of Well Grove, Brighouse, died from a serious head injury following the collision in Halifax Road, Brighouse, on June 19 this year.

Bradford Coroner’s Court today heard how Mrs Brason had a history of depression and anxiety, but had refused treatment for her mental health.

Coroner Martin Fleming told the man who was driving the lorry which hit Mrs Brason, Christopher Parkinson, who was at the inquest on Tuesday, he was not to blame for her death.

A statement read on behalf of Mrs Brason’s husband, Robert Brason, said his wife had appeared to be in good spirits in the weeks before her death.

He had been married to the retired classroom assistant for 45 years, and the couple had a daughter.

On February 4 this year, Mr Brason found his wife on a railway bridge in what he called a “cry for help”, but she had been in good spirits since.

He returned home on the morning of June 19 to find a note which read: “Look after my cat and make your bed at night. I love you.”

Mrs Brason was not at home and he got in her car to try and find her but could not.

Witnesses said Mrs Brason appeared agitated before her death, pacing up and down the pavement outside the One Stop shop in Halifax Road for more than an hour. She then crossed the road to a traffic island where she stood watching traffic for around five minutes.

Mr Parkinson was driving his lorry up the road when she stepped out in front of the vehicle. One witness described hearing “the tyres screech and a sickening thud”.

Detective Sergeant Damon Walker said Mr Parkinson co-operated fully with police and was “clearly distressed and beside himself”.

Mrs Brason was taken to Leeds General Infirmary and died at 1.20pm. Her cause of death was recorded as an extensive open skull fracture and head injuries

Coroner Martin Fleming said: “This is a desperately sad case. Mrs Brason had a history of suffering with anxiety and depression but did not want help with her mental health.

“Her death was a direct result of the collision. She intentionally stepped into path of the lorry and the driver had no chance of evasive action.”