A KFC manager who jumped in front of oncoming traffic had spent the day at the pub with friends, an inquest has heard.

Preston Turner, of Park Road, Sittingbourne, died from multiple severe injuries just before midnight on June 28, on the A249 Sheppey Way.

An inquest in Maidstone heard how, after a night out at The Golden Hope and Red Lion in Sittingbourne, the 22-year-old walked along the A2 to a bridge and jumped.

Mr Preston, a father-of-one, died from his injuries after landing on the dual carriageway and being hit by a lorry.

Coroner James Dillon told the court how, earlier that day, Mr Turner had been messaging his ex-partner Shaynie Davies, the mother of his son, when said he wasn't feeling well enough to look after him today.

However, after finding out the KFC manager went to the pub with his friends, Shaynie messaged him at around 9pm and a row broke out, a police report revealed.

One message included an argument about child support where Mr Turner replied: "I can't pay if I'm dead."

Mr Turner, who had a long history of mental health problems and a previous suicide attempt, carried on the night in seemingly good spirits according to his friends, but had made a number of messages to his ex-partner about taking his own life.

Due to a history of similar comments, Shaynie was uncertain how serious he was until later in the night when she became more concerned after receiving messages from some of his friends.

At around 11pm she pleaded with him to not do anything stupid and offered to pick him up, to which he replied: "**** off."

He sent her a message about his son, saying: "Tell him every day I love him."

After parting way with his friends when the pub shut, Mr Turner was spotted on CCTV entering the Bourne Place car park in Sittingbourne and making his way to the fourth floor.

However, he quickly left after seeing people enter the car park and began to walk out of the town along the A2 London Road to the bridge where he jumped.

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Evidence read in court heard how Morrisons lorry driver Maciej Baginski couldn't have done anything to prevent hitting Mr Turner.

Police were called just before midnight and shut the road for 17 hours.

The court heard how Mr Turner's friends arrived at the scene having been searching for him after he sent a message into a Snapchat group chat which said: "Thank you boys for a good night, I'm going to miss you all. Goodbye."

'Preston was an amazing dad...'

Ms Davies paid tribute to Mr Turner, who she spent months caring for and trying to help him battle his mental health problems, saying his death had a massive impact on many people and he's truly missed.

She said: "It's true what they say, a smile can hide so much pain.

"Preston was an amazing dad. He was kind and caring and always looked after us both, we have some amazing memories together and as a family that I will cherish for a lifetime.

"He couldn’t wait to become a dad and was so excited to be having a little boy of his own and loved being a dad.

"Our hearts are forever broken and nothing will ever be the same or has been since without him. He had the most beautiful smile, that I would do anything to see again.

"He always put everyone else before himself and loved them closest to him. In his spare time he loved to spend it with our son Hunter and his friends making memories and having fun.

"He was always cracking jokes and making people laugh."

Following the tragic death, flowers and messages were left near the A249 in Sittingbourne.

One heartbreaking message left by the roadside read: “The sky’s never looked so beautiful until you got there.”

On Facebook Robyn Ellen said: “We are all so numb. I cannot even put this pain into words.

“We lost our baby brother. Thank you all for sharing your condolences. A shock I never thought we would have to face.

“Rest in peace Preston Turner we love you so much xx”

Friend Rhys Jeffery added: “Never thought I’d have to say this but I’m going to miss you lad.

“When I was told the news, it broke me.

“You were always there for me when I needed it.

'Never thought I’d have to say this but I’m going to miss you lad'

“I’m gonna miss you pal. Save a beer for me when I see you next. RIP Preston Turner.”

The week after his death, a balloon release in memory of Preston took place at nearby Grove Park in Sittingbourne, attended by a small group of friends.

Another balloon release was scheduled too in Bristol, where Preston used to live before moving to Kent.

The organiser of that event, Ellie Bristow, said: “He will truly and sincerely be missed so much.”

Amelia Ohara added: “Can’t believe I’m writing this. Another soul taken by the angels way too soon R.I.P beautiful.

“Hopefully you’re resting easy. And partying up there with the angels like we used to, love you.”