THE reasons behind the death of a man “who had so much to live for” will remain a mystery, an inquest heard.

Stephen Richard Craggs was killed when he was hit by a Transpennine Express train about four miles north of Darlington Railway Station at about 3.30pm on Friday, July 7.

An inquest at Crook Coroners Court heard on Tuesday how none of the 30-year-old’s family of friends could have predicted or knew what was going to happen.

Mr Craggs, of Marina Road, in Darlington, was due to attend a job interview on the day he died and spend the weekend with his girlfriend, who he was in the process of moving in with in Barnsley, South Yorkshire.

However, for unknown reasons, he rang in sick from his job at Durham Precision Engineering but told his girlfriend he was going to work before heading down for the interview and then to see her.

His white Ford Focus was found with a bag containing clothes for the weekend and all his notes for his interview parked in Brafferton Lane, in Darlington, close to a secure path leading to the East Coast Mainline.

Family photographs were found laid on the passenger seat alongside his watch and mobile phone.

His house and car keys were found close to the railway line.

He was last seen the night before when he visited his 90-year-old grandfather, however he was on social media minutes before his death.

The keen sportsman had a lovely family who lived nearby and chatted to every day and had a strong network of friends.

The court heard he did like to gamble and he did have some debt but all repayments were up-to-date.

He was also healthy and had plans for both the long and short term.

His father Steven Craggs paid tribute to his son during the hearing saying he was loving, caring and always smiling and that the family were trying to focus on the happy times they shared.

“We are devastated and heartbroken for Stephen and ourselves,” he said.

“We spoke to Stephen every day and he knew he could talk to us if he had any worries.”

Crispin Oliver, senior assistant coroner for County Durham and Darlington, told Mr Craggs’ parents that it was with “great sadness” and reluctance that he was going to have to record a conclusion of suicide.

He said what led him to go down Brafferton Lane will never be known.

“None of his family and friends will ever know what took him there. He died taking steps positively and purposely end his life.

“The act was a deliberate one. It is with great sadness and reluctantly that this is a suicide. I can’t make any other finding than that.”