A PENSIONER who died beneath the wheels of a train hours after a friend's death had threatened to kill himself if anything happened to her, an inquest heard.

William Ingram, 75, told postmistress Julie Fish that he would "go down to the line" if anything happened to his friend.

Hours after she died, on February 13, Mr Ingram was knocked down and killed by a Northern Rail train, near Peterlee, County Durham.

PC David Meadowcroft, of British Transport Police, told the inquest at Chester-le-Street Magistrates' Court: "I think he was taking her into his confidence."

Mr Ingram, a retired miner from Jupiter Court, Peterlee, was hit by a Hexham to Middlesbrough train, travelling at 60mph, close to the Whitelea Farm crossing.

David Harnett, the train's driver, said: "I picked out a figure approximately 15 to 20 yards away in the headlights. I didn't even have time to blow the horn.

"I put the brake on and that was all I could do.

"He was standing face on to the train. He was standing still. I think he was there to do that."

The train came to a stop about 250 yards down the line from where Mr Ingram was standing. Mr Harnett, a train driver for 18 years, and a conductor found two boots on the line and Mr Ingram lying nearby.

His friend had died earlier that day in hospital.

PC Meadowcroft said it was impossible to know whether Mr Ingram was aware of this. Police who searched Mr Ingram's home found no suicide note.

Recording an open verdict on Mr Ingram's death, North Durham Coroner Andrew Tweddle said: "On the balance of probabilities, I believe he intended to take his own life but I can't be sure of that."