‘Honourable’ Sheffield civil servant died after being hit by train
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Daniel Elliott-Walsh, aged 28, died after being struck at Hathersage railway station on May 21 this year, having suffered with depression.
Reading his post-mortem report to Sheffield Coroner’s Court, Assistant Coroner Katy Dickinson said the train was travelling from Manchester Airport to Sheffield.
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Hide AdShe added it was moving at around 63mph at the point of impact.
Ms Dickinson also read out reports to Mr Elliott-Walsh’s family, written by his GP, Dr Conrad Sooklall of Gleadless Medical Centre.
Dr Sooklall said Mr Elliott-Walsh had been seen by a GP three times before his death – first reporting suicidal thoughts in February.
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Hide AdHe added that his mother died of Huntington’s Disease when he was just nine years old.
Dr Sooklall said Mr Elliott-Walsh had told him his job involved working many evenings and weekends and it had been ‘getting him down’.
The GP said he was signed off work from April 8 to May 6.
In a file prepared for the coroner, British Transport Police officers said the train was a Transpennine Express service which left Manchester Airport at 12.53pm and was due to arrive at Sheffield railway station at 2.05pm.
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Hide AdMs Dickinson said Mr Elliott-Walsh would have died either ‘instantly’ or ‘rapidly’, recording the cause as multiple injuries to his head, spine and chest.
Recording a conclusion of suicide, she said: “Having looked at the GP evidence and the way he has taken his life, there is an intention when you put yourself in front of a train that you are not going to survive that situation – it’s definitive. So, I’m going to record suicide.
“I am really sorry that you’ve had to come here and I am sorry that you have lost him. He looked like a nice man and, working as a civil servant – what an honourable person.”
For confidential support in the UK call the Samaritans on 116 123.