Woman took own life by jumping in front of train

Janet Cosh, a 49-year-old youth and community officer, died instantaneously at Dobroyd Crossing, 200 yards from Todmorden Railway Station, at 10.35am on December 4 last year.

In a statement read to a resumed inquest at Halifax town hall, Northern Rail train driver, Andrew Brown, said he had been left "severely traumatised''.

He said: "She looked somewhat hesitant which made me concerned for her. There was absolutely no way of stopping the train and I closed my eyes and diverted my gaze from her. I heard a loud bang as the train struck her.''

West Yorkshire coroner Roger Whittaker heard that a previous suicide attempt in which she had bought waterproof pants and driven to Morecambe with the intention of drowning herself in the sea had failed when she found the tide was out.

She had been receiving intensive treatment for severe depression and high levels of anxiety from a crisis resolution team at South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust prior to her death.

Mr Whittaker recorded a verdict that Miss Cosh of Longfield Terrace, Todmorden, had taken "her own life while the balance of her mind was disturbed''.