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Railway death mother had felt suicidal

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Emma Cadywould, who was killed on the railway line at South Marston

New mum Emma Cadywould suffered from ^one of the worst cases of post-natal depression^ ever seen by the coroner chairing the inquest into her death.

Emma, of Saxon Orchard, Watchfield, was struck by a train travelling at more than 100mph near South Marston on December 16, 2011, after a six-month battle with the condition.

It is unclear what the 32-year-old^s intentions were when she drove down to a remote section of the railway that morning, but the coroner chairing the inquest recorded a narrative verdict. These verdicts do not attribute the cause of death to any individual person.

In his closing statement at yesterday^s inquest in Salisbury, Peter Hatvany, assistant coroner for Wiltshire and Swindon, said: ^This is one of, if not the, worst cases of post-natal depression I have ever seen. Emma had given birth to a son on June 1, 2011, and suffered from severe post-natal depression, for which she was receiving treatment. On occasions she did show suicidal ideation. Only she knew why she made her way to the railway line that morning.

"This is either a narrative or open verdict and I am going down the narrative route. She showed no signs of an early recovery from her illness.^

The coroner also said he would not be creating any Prevention of Future Death report based on the root cause analysis of the care and treatment Emma received.

The family gave a largely positive response to the verdict, although they are disappointed it did not go far enough in addressing, what they believe, were the failings in Emma^s care which lead to her death.

Lucie Malangone, Emma^s sister, said: ^The narrative verdict the coroner has given is the best that we, as a family, could expect. Emma loved her husband, son and family deeply. Today^s verdict will, undoubtedly, help Emma^s son, Harrison, as he grows up, to understand and know his mummy was very ill with post-natal depression and that she battled hard against an illness that ultimately, and tragically, took her life.

^We will continue to find ways of raising awareness of post-natal depression, as we would not want any other family to experience the devastation and heartbreak that we have. No mother should ever have to die from post-natal depression.^

Anyone suffering from post-natal depression should contact the Association for Post-Natal Illness (APNI) on 0207 386 0868. Emma's family are raising money for its work. Visit www.justgiving.com/mysisterEmma

EXCLUSIVE: Dead mother's family demand NHS do more for postnatal depression sufferers

The family of a woman who died under a train, after her pleas for help with postnatal depression were ignored, has demanded the NHS give new mothers proper support.

Lucie Holland blames the postcode lottery of care for letting down her sister. She said: ^Postnatal depression is not something you should die from.^

Emma Cadywould, 32, of Swindon, Wiltshire, had battled the condition for six months before she drove to the railway where she died.

Emma, married to Steve, an Army major, was struggling to cope following the birth of baby Harrison on June 1, 2011.

Yet despite repeated visits by Swindon Mental Health Crisis Team, and her demands to be treated as an in-patient as she struggled with ^incessant thoughts of being dead^, she died alone on the railway track four miles from home.

In May the health trust admitted legal breach of duty and causation, accepting that Emma^s right to life was violated due to NHS failings.

However, her sister Lucie claims nothing has changed and women suffering from postnatal depression are still being failed.

The petition she has launched, calling for an urgent NHS England review into its postnatal services, has 40,000 supporters so far.