A 41-year-old Falklands war veteran drank himself to death after failing to come to terms with the horrors of the conflict, an inquest was told.

Matthew Phimister was found dead in the road on July 5 after driving his son, William, home from school while under the influence of alcohol.

The former soldier who had his left leg amputated in 1998 hit two cars and a bus on the journey from Upbury Manor School to his home in Davenport Avenue, Gillingham. He then got out of his car, locked it and later keeled over dead with acute alcohol intoxication.

Coroner Roger Sykes heard how Mr Phimister had a history of alcohol abuse. The Glasgow-born soldier fought with the Royal Signals against Argentina in 1982 coroner heard how he had suffered from nightmares, stress and trauma ever since.

After the inquest his widow, Marilyn, 48, said: "My son is just heartbroken. My husband will always be a hero in our eyes."

Verdict: death by misadventure due to acute alcohol intoxication.