A MAN who died after being hit by a high-speed train was suffering from paranoid delusions and may not have intended to take his own life.

Kenneth William Phipps, 38, living in Manchester but originally from Boldon Colliery, County Durham, died on November 5, 2017 at Northallerton Station at around 3.15pm.

Mr Phipps had been suffering from paranoid schizophrenia for many years and had been ‘on leave’ from a mental health unit at Salford Hospital at the time of his death.

A jury inquest at Northallerton’s County Hall found a narrative conclusion into his death, because although his death was caused by a deliberate action, there was no evidence to suggest what his intention was given his mental health problems and recent change in medication.

His condition meant he believed a hitman was out to kidnap and torture him.

Staff at the mental health unit where Mr Phipps was being detained for treatment said outwardly his behaviour suggested he was improving, however his family had expressed concerns he still feared someone would hurt his family.

Mr Phipps had been given four hours leave from the unit every day in the week before his death, and had told staff it was helping his recovery.

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