A former museum worker who died after being hit by a lorry outside a hospital is thought to have “stepped in front of it” after a court appearance.

Kevin Brice died in February 2022 from fatal head injuries after being struck by the vehicle in Hermitage Lane, Maidstone.

Emergency services, including police and ambulance crews, rushed to the incident close to Maidstone Hospital and the road was shut for around six hours.

But the 57-year-old died from his injuries at the scene.

An inquest into his death was previously opened but was adjourned until the police were able to establish the full details leading up to the incident including an appeal for dashcam footage of his final moments.

The full hearing began at the town’s Oakwood House this week with a jury sworn in yesterday (February 6).

Assistant coroner Catherine Wood heard Mr Brice, who is from Aberdeen in Scotland, but grew up in Maidstone, was staying in the town as he was appearing in court. It’s not been revealed what he was charged with.

In written evidence from his wife Gwen Black, the inquest heard how on the first day of his trial, Mr Brice was distressed after seeing his ex-wife and son, whom he was estranged from, in the public gallery.

The statement dated February 3, 2022, was read to the court by Mrs Black’s legal representative Camilla Warren, and claimed the pair were “sniggering” at Mr Brice.

She said when Mr Brice, who had struggled with mental health issues, returned to the Airbnb rental they were staying at he said “he could not carry on”.

The evidence added: “I woke up to every light on. I could see immediately he was not OK.”

Her statement said her husband was holding a knife to his own throat, leading her to call the emergency services – with the police arriving at around 12.40am on February 1.

The court was shown body-worn footage from two police officers, PC Hill and PC Genery, at the Airbnb and later at an A&E room which showed Mr Brice making attempts to leave.

PC Hill told the jury they were there “to safeguard the paramedics and Mr Brice”.

He said Mr Brice was “agitated” and the court was shown footage of him attempting to hurt himself.

PC Hill said they used handcuffs to prevent him from causing injury to himself and others, but he became calmer after these were later removed.

A colleague called a specialist co-ordinator who advises on mental health cases.

PC Hill said they were told to wait for the paramedics and let them take the lead.

Once they arrived, Mr Brice voluntarily went with them to the hospital.

Questions were raised why the officers did not enact Section 136 of the Mental Health Act.

This gives powers, outside of a person’s residence, to detain and take them to place of safety, usually a hospital.

PC Hill explained they did not think it was necessary as Mr Brice voluntarily went and was seen by medical professionals at A&E.

He and PC Genery went to the hospital and stayed with Mr Brice and Ms Black for a few hours.

The footage showed the officers were able to stop Mr Brice from leaving quite easily.

However, they left at around 6am, leaving the former museum worker in the care of A&E staff and Ms Black.

The court heard how after they went and Ms Black stepped out of the room briefly, Mr Brice fled the hospital.

Ms Black has questioned how he was able to leave after the police had been advised on how to deal with Mr Brice by a mental health nurse.

The nurse in charge was Keely Rose and the nurse caring for Mr Brice throughout the evening was Nicole Magdami.

They explained the procedure by which mental health patients are assessed and cared for and said while police were there they did not see a need to continually observe.

The inquest, which is expected to last the rest of the week, continues.