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Train driver killed himself 'after witnessing a death on shift' Train driver killed himself after witnessing a death on shift
(30 minutes later)
A man killed himself after struggling to cope with witnessing a suicidal person being hit by the train he was driving, an inquest has heard.A man killed himself after struggling to cope with witnessing a suicidal person being hit by the train he was driving, an inquest has heard.
Police found the body of Scott Walker after they broke into his home in Hedon, east Yorkshire, on 2 November last year.Police found the body of Scott Walker after they broke into his home in Hedon, east Yorkshire, on 2 November last year.
On Monday, Hull coroner’s court was told the 43-year-old Arriva Trains Northern worker had begun drinking heavily after the train he was driving hit a pedestrian who was attempting to kill themselves. Hull coroner’s court was told the 43-year-old Arriva Trains Northern worker had begun drinking heavily after the train he was driving hit a person. Walker’s trauma led to the breakup of his relationship, the inquest heard.
Walker’s trauma led to the breakup of his relationship, the inquest heard. His former partner told the hearing: “After the train accident, which was confirmed as a suicide in January 2018, it really affected Scott. He was never the same after that. He would drink heavily and have a temper. He would usually send me abusive messages. His ex-partner told the hearing: “After the train accident, which was confirmed as a suicide in January 2018, it really affected Scott. He was never the same after that. He would drink heavily and have a temper. He would usually send me abusive messages.
“It was on 1 October, a month before Scott’s death, that I decided to move out of the family home with our two children.”“It was on 1 October, a month before Scott’s death, that I decided to move out of the family home with our two children.”
Walker’s GP said that during an appointment in July 2018 he had described being “of low mood” but had no intention of killing himself. He was subsequently given medication for anxiety and depression. Walker’s GP said that during an appointment in July 2018 Walker described being “of low mood” but said he had no intention of killing himself. Walker was subsequently given medication for anxiety and depression.
He had needed several weeks off after the incident but had returned to work after being paired up with another driver and was also being supported by London North Eastern Railway (LNER), the inquest was told. He had needed several weeks off after the incident but had returned to work after being paired up with another driver, and he was being supported by London North Eastern Railway (LNER), the inquest was told.
Dr Laszlo Karsai, a consultant histopathologist at Hull Royal Infirmary, told the inquest the medical cause of death was “drug poisoning”. Walker was found holding a note, police told the hearing. Dr Laszlo Karsai, a consultant histopathologist at Hull Royal Infirmary, told the inquest that the medical cause of death was drug poisoning. Walker was found holding a note, police told the hearing.
PC Steven Wood, of Humberside police, said there had been no evidence of third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances surrounding Walker’s death. PC Steven Wood, of Humberside police, said there was no evidence of third-party involvement or suspicious circumstances surrounding Walker’s death.
The coroner, Rosemary Baxter, said: “He had anxiety and depression since the train accident and recently had split from his partner. I find his many personal problems overcame him at the end and he wanted to take his life by his own hand.”The coroner, Rosemary Baxter, said: “He had anxiety and depression since the train accident and recently had split from his partner. I find his many personal problems overcame him at the end and he wanted to take his life by his own hand.”
Baxter recorded a verdict of suicide.Baxter recorded a verdict of suicide.
In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.In the UK and Ireland, the Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123. In the US, the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline is 1-800-273-8255. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international suicide helplines can be found at www.befrienders.org.
UK newsUK news
YorkshireYorkshire
Mental health
Depression
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