A MAN with mental health problems apparently walked into the path of a van on a motorway section of the A1.

David Smith, 29, is believed to have died instantly, from multiple injuries, after the accident on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M), three-quarters of a mile north of the Blind Lane interchange, at Chester-le-Street.

An inquest, in Durham, was told Mr Smith, of Irthing Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, appeared in front of Peter Ward's 7.5-tonne box van on an unlit stretch of the motorway, shortly after 7.30pm on Friday, December 7.

Mr Ward, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, who was heading to Scotland, told the hearing he had not seen Mr Smith standing beside, or walking along, the road before he saw him standing in the middle of the inside lane.

Mr Ward said he did not recall him trying to get out of the way of the van.

Mr Smith's brother, Neil Birdsall, said Mr Smith had suffered depression and from mental health problems for some time. He said his brother was upset at not being able to see children from an estranged relationship and displayed signs of "unusual behaviour". He had been prescribed medication.

Deputy North Durham coroner Brenda Davidson said, given Mr Smith's recent history and the fact he appeared to take no action to avoid the van: "It's reasonable to think he intended self-harm."

She returned a verdict of suicide.

A MAN with mental health problems apparently walked into the path of a van on a motorway section of the A1.

David Smith, 29, is believed to have died instantly, from multiple injuries, after the accident on the northbound carriageway of the A1(M), three-quarters of a mile north of the Blind Lane interchange, at Chester-le-Street.

An inquest, in Durham, was told Mr Smith, of Irthing Avenue, Walker, Newcastle, suddenly appeared in front of motorist Peter Ward's hired 7.5-tonne box van on an unlit stretch of the motorway, shortly after 7.30pm on Friday December 7.

Mr Ward, from Mansfield in Nottinghamshire, who was heading to Scotland, told the hearing: "I was just driving along the inside lane and the next thing I saw was someone standing in the middle of the lane.

"I hadn't seen him standing or walking along the road."

When asked if the man made an attempt to get out of the way of the oncoming van, Mr Ward said: "Not that I recall."

He said: "It all happened so quickly", and added that he hit the man a split second later.

Mr Ward pulled into the hard shoulder and immediately rang police, but was too shaken to get out of the van.

The inquest was told there were no reported sightings of Mr Smith for several hours after he briefly appeared at his mother, Valerie Birdsall's home, in Gateshead, earlier that day.

Brother Neil Birdsall, said Mr Smith had suffered depression and from mental health problems for some time.

He said his brother was upset at not being able to see the children from an estranged relationship, while he also displayed signs of "unusual behaviour".

The family persuaded him to seek psychiatric treatment and he was prescribed medication.

Deputy North Durham coroner Brenda Davidson said, given Mr Smith's recent history and the fact he appeared to take no action to avoid the oncoming van: "It's reasonable to think he intended self-harm".

She returned a verdict of "suicide".