The devastated mum of a "bright and caring" student said his suicide has "taken a chunk of my heart away forever".
Connor Turnbull, 23, died at the scene when he was struck by a train at Mossley Hill train station, Rose Lane, on March 10 this year, an inquest into his death heard today.
Connor, from Prenton, Wirral, was an intelligent and popular student in the final year of a degree in civil engineering at Liverpool John Moores University.
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However his family said he had been struggling with severe mental health problems at the time of his death and was receiving treatment in the community for schizophrenia.
Mum Natalie Turnbull, speaking after the inquest, told the ECHO "nobody had a bad word to say" about her son.
She said: "He was very clever, very bright and very caring.
"He was a lovely lad, nobody had a bad word to say about him and he never got into any trouble, never, he never brought any trouble to my door.
"He was sporty. He loved playing football, he loved going to the gym and running.
"He was an artist as well, he would draw and doodle.
"He had loads of friends at university, he was a very popular lad. The impact on us as a family? I will never be the same again.
"There's a big chunk of my heart that has been taken away forever and will never come back."
Mental health support
Helplines and support groups
The following are helplines and support networks for people to talk to, mostly listed on the NHS Choices website
- Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you're feeling, or if you're worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.
- CALM Campaign Against Living Miserably (0800 58 58 58) is a leading movement against suicide. It runs a UK helpline and webchat from 5pm to midnight 365 days a year for anyone who has hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
- PANDAS (0808 1961 776) runs a free helpline and offers a support service for people who may be suffering with perinatal mental illness, including prenatal (antenatal) and postnatal depression plus support for their family or network.
- Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won't show up on your phone bill.
- PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is an organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.
- Mind (0300 123 3393) is a charity providing advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.
- Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts.
- Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying.
Amparo provides emotional and practical support for anyone who has been affected by a suicide. This includes dealing with police and coroners; helping with media enquiries; preparing for and attending an inquest and helping to access other, appropriate, local support services. Call 0330 088 9255 or visit www.amparo.org.uk for more details.
- Hub of Hope is the UK’s most comprehensive national mental health support database. Download the free app, visit hubofhope.co.uk or text SHOUT to 85258 to find relevant services near you.
- Young Persons Advisory Service – Providing mental health and emotional wellbeing services for Liverpool’s children, young people and families. tel: 0151 707 1025 email: support@ypas.org.uk
- Paul's Place - providing free counselling and group sessions to anyone living in Merseyside who has lost a family member or friend to suicide. Tel: 0151 226 0696 or email: paulsplace@beaconcounsellingtrust.co.uk
The Martin Gallier Project - offering face to face support for individuals considering suicide and their families. Opening hours 9.30-16.30, 7 days a week. Tel: 0151 644 0294 email: triage@gallierhouse.co.uk
James' Place - supports men over 18 who are experiencing a suicidal crisis by providing quick access to therapy and support. Call 0151 303 5757 from Monday to Friday between 9.30am and 5.30pm or visit https://www.jamesplace.org.uk/
The inquest, sitting at Gerard Majella Courthouse in Kirkdale, heard British Transport Police were called to reports of a person being struck by a train at 5.37pm.
Andre Rebello, senior coroner for Liverpool and Wirral, said: "Officers attended and arrived on scene at 5.48pm.
"Paramedics from the North West Ambulance Service arrived at 5.57pm and death was declared at 5.59pm."
Mr Rebello said Connor was initially identified by his driving licence and bank cards.
The court heard CCTV footage at the station captured the moment Connor was hit by the train.
The crash was also witnessed by the train driver, who had been travelling at 80mph when he saw Connor on the tracks ahead and applied the emergency brakes.
Mr Rebello said the CCTV footage and the train driver's statement made it clear that Connor had intended to take his own life.
The court did not hear details of Connor's mental health difficulties or his treatment, although Mr Rebello confirmed he was receiving treatment in the community from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership NHS Foundation Trust.
A representative of the trust told the court a meeting would be held with Connor's family to discuss his treatment and any concerns.
The medical cause of death was recorded as multiple injuries and Mr Rebello announced a conclusion of death by suicide.
Speaking after the hearing, Connor's mum Natalie said she believed her son had been "let down" by mental health services and was "very sick" by the end.
She said: "The whole system is under strain, the warning signs were there but they were ignored.
"The whole mental health system has failed him. He didn't deserve what happened to him; no-one does."
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