Source · Prevention of Future Deaths

Susan Hamlett

Ref: 2016-wp25372 Date: 4 Aug 2016 Coroner: Ian Pears Area: Bedfordshire and Luton Responses identified: 1 / 1 View PDF

The British Transport investigation revealed that the deceased gained access to the railway line through an access gate that provided little deterrence, and the area around the gate should be replaced with a more significant fence as a matter of urgency.

Date 4 Aug 2016
56-day deadline 29 Sep 2016 est.
Responses identified 1 of 1
Railway related deaths Suicide (from 2015)

Coroner's concerns

AI summary
The British Transport investigation revealed that the deceased gained access to the railway line through an access gate that provided little deterrence, and the area around the gate should be replaced with a more significant fence as a matter of urgency.
View full coroner's concerns
Tel 0300-300-6559 | Fax 0300-300-8267 6 (1) The British Transport investigation revealed that the deceased gained access to the railway line through an access gate at Lower Farm Road, Bromham, Bedfordshire. The gate is of wooden construction and provides little deterrence or hindrance to someone wanting to gain access to the railway. The gate has a wooden fence around it of a similar height.

(2) The investigation identified that the area around the wooded track access gate, at the western side of the bridge, should be removed and replaced with a more significant fence as a matter of urgency. It is understood that this has not been undertaken.

Responses

1 respondent
Hamlette Network Rail Private Sector
PDF
Action Planned

Network Rail will upgrade the wooden access gate and install over 600 metres of Class 1 palisade anti-trespass fencing by December 2, 2016. They are also actively involved in multi-agency suicide prevention efforts along the Bedford to St Pancras route. (AI summary)

Report sections

Investigation and inquest
On 9 March 2016 I commenced an Investigation into the death of Susan Elizabeth HAMLETT, aged 66 years. The Investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on 04 August 2016. The Conclusion of the Inquest was 'suicide; the medical cause of death was 'Multiple Severe Traumatic Injuries'.
Circumstances of the death
On the 8th March 2016 the driver of a train travelling at 115 mph saw the deceased walk from behind the bridge pillar and lay down across the tracks looking at the train. The deceased was killed instantly.

Similar PFD reports

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Report details

Reference
2016-wp25372
Date of report
4 August 2016
Coroner
Ian Pears
Coroner area
Bedfordshire and Luton

Responses identified

Responses identified 1 of 1
All listed responses identified

Organisations named in PFD reports are normally expected to respond within 56 days. Deadline: 29 Sep 2016 (estimated).

Sent to

Network Rail

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