A NEW Forest pensioner was killed by his own car after he left the handbrake off, an inquest heard.

Brian Jordan was dropping his wife outside their door in Vimoutiers Court, Fordingbridge, when the vehicle started rolling backwards.

Mr Jordan had let his wife, Enid, out from the passenger seat, but as he returned to the driver’s side the car rolled backwards, catching him and causing hip, rib and spinal fractures.

The 87-year-old may not have had the strength to put the handbrake on firmly enough, his daughter, Hazel Jordan, told Winchester Coroner’s Court on Monday.

No one saw the incident, on September 28 last year, but the inquest heard that he may have been hit by the open door.

Neighbours raised the alarm after discovering him on the driveway. He was taken to Salisbury District Hospital but developed a respiratory tract infection as a result of his injuries.

Mr Jordan, a retired bank manager, died on January 11 after a series of procedures.

Sarah Whitby, south Hampshire assistant coroner, recorded a verdict of accidental death.