Man hit by Hope Valley train, inquest hears

A man has died after being struck by a train near Hope Valley, an inquest has heard.
The Coroners Court, Basil Close, Chesterfield.The Coroners Court, Basil Close, Chesterfield.
The Coroners Court, Basil Close, Chesterfield.

Senior Coroner for Derbyshire Dr Robert Hunter opened the inquest into the death of Mr Robert James Bell on Thursday, August 6 at Chesterfield Coroner’s Court.

Mr Bell died, aged 33, on the night of August 2 when hit by a train on the Hope Valley Line of the Transpennine Express outside Hope.

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Consultant pathologist Danesh Taraporewala who performed the postmortem outlined multiple injuries from the impact of the train in his statement – an official recording of the cause of death is pending further evidence.

In a preliminary statement from police, PC Mark Mason said a first hand account was given by the train driver.

The inquest heard: “A man stepped out from the scrub – the train was on a bend but the view was clear.

“He stood between the rails with his arms raised in the air and his back turned to the train,” said the Coroner.

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There were around 150 passengers on the train which was travelling at around 70 miles per hour.

Paramedics attended the scene, around 200 metres from bridge 44 over the railway near Hope.

The inquest is adjourned pending the submission of toxicology results and a full police investigation.

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