A GREENKEEPER at Wentworth Golf Club drowned when he deliberately drove his van into the River Thames, an inquest heard.

John Byrne, who was due to become the father to twins, died two days after leaving hospital.

A jury will hear evidence during a two-week inquest of the police response to the incident.

The groundsman at the world-famous members only Surrey golf club had been suffering with mental health issues, but had told his heavily pregnant wife Cheri that he did not intend to harm himself.

Assistant Surrey coroner Darren Stewart heard that father-of-one Mr Byrne - known to friends as Jackie - had been a patient at The Priory private clinic.

He had been in contact with his mental health team on the day that he drowned in the river at Shepperton, Surrey.

The coroner, sitting at Woking, heard that Mr Byrne had left his home on December 8, 2016 after a conversation with his wife, who was pregnant with twins who were due that month, and with whom he had a young son.

His van entered the water at 8.20pm and he was pronounced dead at the scene by ambulance staff at 9.46pm.

A consultant psychiatrist with the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Anand Mathilakath, told the inquest Mr Byrne had previously tried to drive into the Thames.

Mr Byrne had been diagnosed with severe depression with suicidal ideation and intent, complicated by gambling and harmful alcohol use.

The inquest heard he had depleted the family savings and was £5,000 in debt and was drinking between four and six pints every Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Assistant coroner Mr Stewart told the jury that on December 8 the 39-year-old travelled to a place near the Thames and drove his van into the river.

He added: "Mr Byrne had been married for about 12 years and had a young son. His wife was pregnant with twins.

"He had been suffering from depression and anxiety for about two years and received care from mental health services, primarily the Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.

"He had been discharged from a period of hospitalisation on December 6 and had been in contact with the at-home treatment team up until the day of his death, which included home visits and telephone contact."

The inquest continues.