DOUBLE tragedy has hit a Pershore family after a father, suffering from depression since one of his daughters died in a car crash, was found hanged.

Robert Goodes, aged 40, was discovered at the weekend hanging by the neck from a dressing gown belt, which had been tied to a banister rail at his Fulbert Road home.

His sister Margaret found him on Saturday. No suicide note has been discovered.

Four years ago, the town was rocked when 14-year-old Kirsty Goodes and her 18-year-old boyfriend Warren Taylor were killed in an accident on the A44 at Cropthorne.

Her father, Robert Goodes, was left devastated by the loss and was treated for depression in the wake of the tragedy.

Worcestershire County Coroner Victor Round opened the inquest into his death yesterday, confirming the cause of death was hanging but adjourned the case for further inquiries to be made.

Mr Goodes had never previously attempted to kill himself but had struggled to come to terms with Kirsty's death, in July 2000.

The young couple died when Mr Taylor lost control of his car while overtaking on the A44 between Evesham and Pershore.

A plaque and clock were unveiled at Pershore High School, where she was a student, in December 2000.

The inscription read In remembrance of Kirsty Goodes 1985 - 2000. Time Goes On.

The family also arranged for a seamstress to create her dream dress a scarlet silk evening dress Kirsty designed but did not live to see which her sister, Stacey, modelled.

Mr Goodes, who was separated from his wife, Deborah, left three other daughters Gemma, Natalie and Alicia.