A man sent a phone text message to a friend begging for help minutes before he hanged himself.

The message from 31-year-old Mark Thorogood said: "I'm severely depressed. Need help. May be too late. Can you look after me?"

Jennifer Hargrave, of The Meadow, Copthorne, told an inquest in Crawley yesterday that seconds later she received another message: "It's really too late. I'm too sensitive for this world. You are special."

Miss Hargrave immediately drove to Mr Thorogood's home in Pearson Road, Pound Hill, Crawley, where she discovered him dead.

West Sussex Coroner Roger Stone said Mr Thorogood could have suffered an acute onset of depression. The text messages could have been a cry for help which had not arrived in time.

He said: "It may be he did something dramatic in order to get help which may be more substantial. I am not satisfied he made a final decision to end his life."

He recorded an open verdict.