A MAN from Wrexham committed suicide by walking in front of a train, an inquest has heard.

James Manchester, 30, was killed close to Gwersyllt railway station at about 11.15pm on Sunday, April 15.

Mr Manchester lived with his father on High Street, Gwersyllt and had worked at a factory since he left school, the hearing at Ruthin was told.

Paul Simmonds, a rail fatality investigator for British Transport Police, said the driver of the two carriage passenger train had more than 40 years experience. He was slowing it down on its approach to the station when he saw a figure on the left side of the track.

Mr Manchester positioned himself in front of the train and made no attempt to move out of the way.

Mr Simmonds said it was not clear how Mr Manchester had got on to the tracks but that it was most likely he gained accessed by walking on to them from the end of the platform at the train station and was about 100 yards away from the main road bridge.

John Gittins, coroner for North Wales East and Central, said although Mr Manchester was confirmed dead at the scene by a member of the ambulance service at about 11.35pm his death would have been instantaneous.

He said a document found on him led police to Mr Manchester’s father’s address, where a note was found by the side of his bed indicating his actions, which Mr Gittins said was very touching, but also funny at times.

The coroner said: “People do all sorts of things for all sorts of reasons, but what is clear is that James came from a family who loved him and will miss him dearly.”

A post-mortem examination established Mr Manchester had died from multiple injuries and Mr Gittins concluded his death was from suicide.