NO-ONE will ever know exactly why Behrooz Chini's car left the road and smashed into a tree in the New Forest.

Mr Chini, 53, was killed in the head-on collision when his blue Volvo s60 crashed into the oak on the B3056 Hatchet Lane between Beaulieu and Lyndhurst on August 13, an inquest heard.

He had driven straight into the tree on a left-hand curve on the country lane.

There was nothing wrong with the 51-reg car, no evidence of another vehicle, person or animal, such as a New Forest pony, being involved.

Also there was no braking or swerving and no evidence that Mr Chini intended suicide, such as a note. It may have been a medical episode or something that momentarily distracted him, the Winchester hearing was told.

The hearing heard that he had an anxiety disorder and was taking medication that might have made him drowsy.

The Central Hampshire coroner Grahame Short described it as "an unusual case in some respects."

Sgt Mark Ingram, officer in the case, said Mr Chini of Ferndale Road, Marchwood, had reported to police a few days before the collision that he was in danger.

Hampshire Police professional standards department had investigated the claim but could find no evidence, said Sgt Ingram.

Mr Short said he believed Mr Chini, who had a history of mental illness, may have been suffering paranoia.

The coroner said without any conclusive evidence he could not say why the car hit the tree and recorded that Mr Chini died due to a road traffic collision.