A MAN who died after being struck by a train on the East Coast mainline took his own life, a coroner has ruled.

Stuart Paul Banks, from Darlington, was hit by a TransPennine Express train passing through Chester-le-Street Railway Station in County Durham at 3.25pm on Tuesday, December 16.

He was killed instantly.

An inquest at Crook Civic Centre in Crook today (Monday, March 23) heard the train driver had used the emergency brakes as soon as he saw Mr Banks, 30, run across the platform and jump on to the line but it was too late.

PC David Lee White, of the British Transport Police, said investigations had revealed Mr Banks had been experiencing personal problems in the months running up to his death.

Mr Banks’ mother, Elizabeth Glendenning said her son had not been given enough professional support, despite having suggested taking his own life a month earlier.

Addressing the train driver, she said: “My heart goes out to you. You have driven trains for all those years and I would like you to continue to drive trains.

“There was nothing any of us could have done that day. I accept your apology and I equally apologise to you and I hope you are going to be okay.”

Recording a verdict of suicide, Coroner Andrew Tweddle said there was no other explanation for Mr Banks’ death.

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