A FORMER rocket scientist used his skills to take his own life in a car explosion, an inquest heard.

David Bagley blew himself up with a home-made explosive device in his blue Nissan Micra after driving to a deserted industrial site in Old Cemetery Road, Hartlepool last week.

A team of bomb disposal experts were called to the scene following the blast.

Mr Bagley was pronounced dead at the scene.

There were concerns that chemicals could be stored at his flat on Hartlepool Marina, and residents and businesses were evacuated as a search was carried out.

At Mr Bagley’s inquest yesterday it emerged that he had spent much of his career in the aerospace industry and had worked on rockets that had gone into space.

The 58-year-old was unemployed when he died and had recently been working as a charity shop volunteer for the Hartlepool & District Hospice in the town.

Notes found in his flat at Navigation Point revealed Mr Bagley intended to kill himself in the explosion which sparked a major incident.

But Hartlepool coroner Malcolm Donnelly said it may never be known why he wanted to take his life.

Before carrying out the explosion Mr Bagley paid for his own funeral, withdrew money for his mother and settled his household bills.

Mr Bagley left notes to the police and his mother apologising for what he was going to do.

In the note to police he said: “I’m sorry for the method that I have chosen.

"The reason I chose this method is because I knew it would be quick.

“I have the experience and expertise to make an explosion happen based on my experience with the aerospace industry. This is not a terrorist incident.

“I do apologise. Please look after my mother. I can’t face any more of this life.

“As you can see I have chosen a remote location in order not to injure anyone else.”

The cause of death given was multiple injuries.

Speaking at Hartlepool Coroner’s Court, Mr Donnelly said: “In summary, Mr Bagley aged 58 decided he didn’t want to live any more.

“The obvious conclusion for me to look at is suicide. I can’t think of another explanation here.

“He wanted to take his own life.

“I don’t think there is anything else I can usefully find out about these circumstances bearing in mind the meticulous planning there was involved here.”

He added why Mr Bagley decided to kill himself could only be speculation.

Mr Bagley was born in Hartlepool but travelled all over the country in his engineering career.

Police enquiries are continuing into how Mr Bagley created the homemade bomb.

Mr Donnelly also praised the response of all the emergency services involved in last week’s incident.

He said: “I have nothing but the highest regard for the way in which they dealt with this.”