Derbyshire coroner reveals shocking toll of railway suicides on county

Dr Robert Hunter has 17 years’ experience of presiding over inquests in the county – overseeing hundreds of suicide cases in that time.

Despite all the changes he has seen, he said the number of railway fatalities of around 10 per year had remained constant for some time.

“Traditionally male suicides have always had violent means whereas females tend to use non-violent methods,” said Dr Hunter.

“However, that pattern has changed in the last 10 years so we are now getting a worrying number of females that are choosing this method now.

“It used to be so rare but it is now becoming noticeable.”

Dr Hunter revealed that the people who take this course of action tend to be young – in their teens, 20s or 30s.

He also said the majority of the cases that he sees involve people who are known to psychiatric services.

“The act they undertake is during a period of acute crisis,” he said.

“Young men often act impulsively after the break up of a relationship – sometimes one that has only been going for six or eight weeks.

“It is just such a tragic waste.”

Dr Hunter also urged families not to shy away from talking to loved ones they think might be at risk.

“Families sometime think that by asking questions they will put ideas into someone’s head,” he said.

“But there have been lots of scientific studies that have said that it is actually therapeutic – that often the person wants to talk about it.”

After he has completed his statutory role of determining who the person was and when, where and how they died, Dr Hunter said the question of why someone took their own life can be much more difficult to answer.

“There is often a long history of mental illness, depression, suicidal thoughts.

“But we get one or two cases a year where it is just ‘out of the blue’.

“And they often don’t leave a note to explain their rationale.

“Families are left wondering if it was something they said or something they did.”

As well as the bereaved family, railway suicides can also often leave a profound impact on the train drivers, he said.

“I only call drivers to give evidence if it is absolutely necessary. It can be very traumatic for them to relive that experience.

“It takes a train going at 90 or 100 miles an hour half a mile to stop so they feel a sense of powerlessness.”

The rail industry now provides training for railway staff in identifying vulnerable people on the rail network.

n For more details see www.networkrail.co.uk/communities/safety-in-the-community/suicide-prevention-railway.