A man was killed after lying down in front of a train, an inquest heard.
Former plastics factory worker Ryan Melia, 35, took his own life after being struck by a train near the Whitewell Road area of Accrington , a coroner ruled.
It was the second such death in the area within the space of eight days after biochemist Andrew Burgess previously jumped from a nearby railway bridge.
Mr Melia, of Deer Park, Accrington, had been diagnosed with paranoid psychosis and depression and had left a suicide note at his house, which was later found by his mum Alice, Blackburn Coroners Court heard.
Mrs Melia told the inquest how her son had called his brothers two days earlier and ‘seemed perfectly normal’ with ‘no indications of problems whatsoever’.
She expected him to go round to her house for a meal on the day of his death and went to find him when he did not show.
The inquest was told how Mrs Melia found a note on the kitchen table saying he was going to take his own life.
She said: “He said to me once if anything bad ever happens don’t be sad. Just think I will be free from my pain.”
The incident took place on Sunday, August 25 at around 2.45pm. Stephen Senior, a train driver for Northern Rail, told the inquest he applied the emergency brakes when he saw Mr Melia on the track but there was ‘no prospect of stopping the train at all’ as it was travelling at around 70mph.
Coroner Michael Singleton said Mr Melia died from multiple injuries and ruled that he had killed himself.
Addressing the family he said: “I am satisfied it was his intention to bring about his own demise.
“Ryan sounds to have been a lovely but troubled man. The only comfort you have is that his troubles are over and you now have your memories of him. Treasure those.”
