Patrick Trevett, 45 jumped over safety barriers into the path of an oncoming express train after he was told he might lose his job
A man jumped over safety barriers into the path of an oncoming express train after he was told he might lose his job.
Patrick Trevett left a note in his parked up Vauxhall Astra before he vaulted the station barriers, an inquest heard.
In the handwritten note, the 45-year-old from Southampton, wrote: ‘I was the jumper today at the station. I cannot cope with the depression.’
The coroner told the inquest how the business Mr Trevett worked for, which was run by his father, had been taken over by a German company.
Due to financial issues at the company there were fears that Mr Trevett and his father could be made redundant.
The statement, which was written by his sister, told how he was staying with his parents and told them he was heading out for lunch.
She said: ‘We did not hear from him all afternoon. My mum texted him at about 5.20 in the evening and he replied straightaway but nothing was heard after that.’
Police officer Stephen Reay, from the British Transport Police, said in a statement to the inqauest in Reading, Berks: ‘Following information I received from the train driver and other witnesses we declared that it was treated as non-suspicious.
‘Officers began searching the tracks and we found a badly damaged mobile phone, car keys and a wallet. The keys opened up a Vauxhall Astra out in the car park of the station. Inside his wallet were various credit cards with his name and also in his car was his passport.’
John Wilson, investigating officer for the British Transport Police, said: ‘The passenger entered the station via the car park where the line is protected by a substantial steel barrier.
Senior Coroner for Berkshire, Peter Bedford, recorded a verdict of suicide.
A fundraising page has been set up in honour of the former game reserve pilot has raised £1,000 for Save The Elephants.
The webpage said: ‘He worked in Botswana as a pilot flying charter planes to various game reserves. It became a daily occurrence for him to come in contact with lions, giraffe, zebra and his favourite of all, elephants.
‘He was genuinely concerned with the depleting numbers of elephants and rhinos, which are still hunted for their ivory.’
For confidential support call the Samaritans on 116123 or visit a local Samaritans branch, see www.samaritans.org for details.