Hospital worker Victor Barrett committed suicide by breathing in poisonous carbon monoxide fumes from a car exhaust, an inquest heard (Oct 4).

The married 41-year-old left notes for his loved ones on the dashboard of his car before the tragedy, the High Wycombe inquest heard.

Mr Barrett, of Southfield Road, Downley, High Wycombe, was discovered by motorist Mark Spring who was on his way to work in Radnage, on March 31.

But Mr Spring, of Sprigs Holly Lane, Chinnor, Princes Risborough, was too late to save the chief microbiologist who worked at Wycombe Hospital. Mr Spring told the inquest on Friday that shortly after leaving home at 6.30am he discovered Mr Barrett's white Vauxhall Cavalier parked on the verge, in Sprigs Holly Lane.

He said: "As I passed the car, I saw an attachment to the car exhaust pipe and the car windows were smeared. I parked nearby and saw the engine was still running.

"I opened the off-side driver's door and saw a man slumped in it. I turned the engine off. There was a smell of exhaust fumes."

He added: "I shook the man but he did not stir. I kept trying to arouse the man but with no success. I opened all the doors and phoned 999 for the emergency services."

Dr Adam Padel, consultant pathologist, said Mr Barrett died from carbon monoxide poisoning.

Buckinghamshire coroner Richard Hulett said: "He left a number of letters which were discovered by Mr Spring. They are plain in their intention."

He returned a verdict that Mr Barrett took his own life.