A MAN tied his feet to the clutch pedal and accelerated a car off King Edward Quay in order to kill himself, an inquest ruled.

William Loveridge was struggling to cope with depression and problems in his relationship when a family member he was particularly close to died in tragic circumstances on November 29 last year.

At 1am the next morning he took his partner's Ford Focus to the edge of the River Colne, found a gap where a bollard was missing at the quay in Colchester, revved the car and accelerated it off the side and into the water where he drowned.

The inquest, at Essex Coroner's Court, yesterday, heard the 52-year-old, from Woodham Walter, went into the river between 1am and 5am on November 30.

Three of his sisters who attended were told a witness heard a car revving and a splash but did not call anyone.

At 9.41am a man who lived along King Edward Quay saw the car in the river, with the bonnet, windows and a door open and called police but could not see anybody inside.

The tide was coming in.

Police managed to track down the owner of the car before launching a high risk missing person search after hearing about Mr Loveridge's state of mind.

Acting Det Insp Lydia George told the inquest: "We sent in divers but the river was particularly murky.

"The divers were unable to see."

Senior Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray said: "It was established, sadly, there was someone in the car."

Det Insp George explained Mr Loveridge was found with his feet tied together with a webbing similar to a seatbelt material and tied to the clutch.

His body was face down between the two front seats facing the rear seats.

He was found and declared dead at about 6pm.

She told the inquest the likelihood was he tied himself in because he either did not want to be rescued, did not want to panic and survive or did not want to float off.

Mr Loveridge's sister, Linda Lamb, told the inquest: "We thought he tied himself in so he would not float out be taken out to sea.

"It has been a nightmare. It still is a nightmare."

She explained they had lost her son-in-law Tom the previous day who Mr Loveridge was very close to.

A post mortem examination by Dr Benjamin Swift, a forensic pathologist, gave the cause of death as drowning.

There were no signs of any third party involvement and the only other injuries were to his forehead and nose as the car hit the water and his head hit the steering wheel or windscreen.

Mrs Beasley-Murray said: "There is evidence the engine was revving. That points to him putting his foot down to go in as fast as possible."

She ruled he killed himself.

She said: "Bearing in mind what had happened the last few days, there had been some relationship difficulties, Mr Loveridge did have a history of feeling depressed.

"It does seem a deliberate action he took. The tying up of his feet, the revving of the engine and going to where the car could be driven into the river."

She added: "He clearly was much loved by you, his sisters, there is no doubt about that."