A CORONER has concluded the death of a man who died on the tracks at Lye railway station was suicide.

Matthew Beech, of Gregory Road, Wollaston, was struck by a train having jumped off the platform onto the tracks on the evening of January 26, Black Country Coroner's Court was told.

Area coroner for the Black Country, Joanne Lees, said West Midlands Ambulance Service was called to the scene but the 47-year-old health and safety consultant had passed away as a result of injuries caused by collision with a train.

She said the driver of the Dorridge to Kidderminster train had reported seeing a person jump onto the railway line as the train approached Lye station at around 60mph.

Mrs Lees told the inquest hearing, on Wednesday April 7, that Mr Beech, who was married, had been suffering from mental health problems and had tried to end his life a few days prior to January 26 but was unsuccessful.

She said he had been referred to the home treatment team at Bushey Fields for daily reviews but had been "struggling with isolation due to Covid and the impact on his employment" and had made plans to end his own life.

She said: "It's clear Mr Beech had matters going on his personal life and was suffering from the effects of Covid and the impact that had on him personally."

After telling the court how Mr Beech had sent a letter to family, which arrived with people on January 21 - after an earlier attempt to end his life, she said she was satisfied that his actions had been deliberate and she offered her "sincere condolences" to his family and friends as concluded his death was suicide.

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