Suicide man put his neck on train lineA TRAIN driver has told of his horror when a man who appeared to be taking a photograph alongside the track suddenly dropped to his knees and put his neck on the line.
Leslie Jones was unable to stop his Gloucester-Swindon train in time to avoid running over conservationist Dr Philip Evans, from Faringdon, who had clearly planned his suicide but had given no clear reason for it.
Senior Gloucestershire coroner Katy Skerrett said that apart from some minor health worries Dr Evans, of Gravel Walk, did not appear to have any motive for ending his life.
But his intentions were clear because he had put a note in the rucksack he was carrying apologising for his actions. He had also written to his brother and the letter was received after his death.
Mrs Skerrett recorded a conclusion that the 53-year-old took his own life on March 16 on a pedestrian crossing at Frampton Mansell, near Stroud. The Gloucester inquest was told the 75-ton two-carriage train was heading east towards Swindon when the driver, who had 24 years^ experience, saw Dr Evans standing dangerously close to the track.
^He was shocked to see a person standing so close to the nearside track where he was in danger of being hit by the overhanging bodywork of the train,^ said British Transport Police investigator John Wilson. ^The man appeared to be holding a camera to his face as if taking a photo of the approaching train. The person suddenly dropped to his knees and placed his neck across the line.^
Mr Wilson said the note found in Dr Evans^s rucksack after his death gave clear instructions but no explanation. ^The camera turned out to be an empty shell,^ he said.
It was unclear how the doctor got to the scene because his car was still at home 25 to 30 miles away, added Mr Wilson.
^I think he did some work for a conservation charity in that area, which may be why he chose it. It is very picturesque.^
In a statement, Mr Jones said he saw a man in dark clothing who appeared to be holding up a camera.
^Although clear of the line he was in danger of being struck. Then I saw him drop to his knees and lie face down across the nearside rail. I pressed the emergency button and applied the brakes but there was a full impact.^
Dr Evans^s brother Leslie said on March 18 he received a letter from Philip in which he stated his clear intention to take his life.
^He had taken every step to make the procedure as painless or as efficient as it could be,^ he said.
The coroner concluded that Dr Evans tooks his own life.
The Samaritans are available to help anybody in distress and can be reached at any time on 08457 90 90 90 or by email at
jo@samaritans.org 
