A MAN who was killed when he stepped out in front on a train travelling at more than 50mph had made previous attempts to take his own life, an inquest has heard.

Unemployed Paul Hardman, a single 37-year-old, had been standing on the train lines at Eckington, near Pershore, when the Virgin Voyager, travelling from Edinburgh to Plymouth, approached.

"The person (Mr Hardman) looked towards the train then walked across both sets of tracks to stand at the side of the down main line," said a statement by coroner's liaison officer David Emmott.

Despite the sound of the train's horn Mr Hardman then stepped directly in front of the oncoming vehicle, which was travelling at between 50mph and 60mph, and closed his eyes, the inquest heard.

"As the train drew closer he put his arms out straight in front of him with the palms facing the train," said Mr Emmott's statement.

After the impact the train carried on for a quarter of a mile before coming to a stop.

Pathologist Terry Jones said the cause of death was multiple injuries.

Prior to the incident, shortly before 4.45pm on Monday, August 18, Mr Hardman of Summerfield Gardens, Hampton, Evesham, had been undergoing psychiatric treatment and had made previous attempts on his life.

On Saturday, July 12, this year he took an overdose but rang for an ambulance and on another occasion he tried to kill himself by inhaling butane gas, the inquest at the coroner's court in Stourport-on-Severn heard yesterday.

Mr Emmott said Mr Hardman "found the day-to-day ups and downs of life difficult to cope with" and there was no evidence of "foul play or the involvement of any third person in this tragic affair".

Despite the lack of a note. coroner Victor Round recorded the verdict that Mr Hardman had taken his own life.