A MAN killed himself after walking out of a mental health unit and stepping in front of a train, a coroner ruled.
Barry Gordon Sargent, 39, left a suicide note before waiting by the tracks near Colchester’s North station.
He then walked in front of a freight train.
Coroner Caroline Beasley-Murray ruled Mr Sargent killed himself.
Mr Sargent was an informal patient at the Lakes in Colchester, having suffered difficulties for a few years.
Gary Mathias, coroner’s liaison for British Transport Police, said the train driver was heading from London to Felixstowe on April 6 last year at about 2pm.
He was approaching a junction near Colchester and became aware of a person 50 yards ahead at the side of the line.
Mr Mathias said: “The man appeared to notice the train and ran towards the line.”
The driver braked but had very little chance of stopping, the inquest heard.
A post-mortem revealed Mr Sargent died at the scene from multiple injuries.
The inquest heard the family have had meetings with representatives from the Lakes since Mr Sargent’s death.
Mrs Beasley-Murray told his family: “It is very clear, seeing you here, how loved he was.”
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules hereLast Updated:
Report this comment Cancel