Chris Regan, 61, rang a friend, Peter Riley, telling him of his intention before hanging himself in the living room of the bungalow he shared with his wife Joan.

An inquest at Halifax heard that Mr Riley tried to save Mr Regan.

Mr Riley said: "He rang me and said he'd had enough and was going to end his life.

"I rushed over to his house, cut him down and gave him first aid."

Mr Regan, of Lindrick Walk, Illingworth, Halifax, was taken to Calderdale Royal Hospital but died in the intensive-care unit two days later.

Coroner's officer Daniella Conlan said: "In July last year Mr Regan was involved in an accident near his home which led to the death of Mary Kenyon."

The Courier reported last week how Mr Regan had been reversing his car from his driveway when an accident happened and 86-year-old neighbour Mary Kenyon fell, resulting in a head injury.

She died the next day. An inquest into Mrs Kenyon's last week recorded a verdict of accidental death.

Mr Regan's inquest heard that one of his sons, Adrian, died suddenly five years ago and he was still grieving for him.

Mr Marks said: "This is an extremely tragic case. It is evident that a number of incidents contributed to him deciding to take his own life, including the death of his son, the car accident in which a person died and he suffered severe back pain.

"These tipped Mr Regan over the top and he expressed desire to end his life to a close friend of his."

Coroner Paul Marks recorded a verdict that Mr Regan, a roofing contractor, took his own life.