A TRAIN driver saw a man step out from between a row of trees into the path of the oncoming train, an inquest heard.The London Liverpool Street to Norwich train was travelling at about 95 miles per hour when its driver spotted Alan Smith close to the railway lines near Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

A TRAIN driver saw a man step out from between a row of trees into the path of the oncoming train, an inquest heard.

The London Liverpool Street to Norwich train was travelling at about 95 miles per hour when its driver spotted Alan Smith close to the railway lines near Wherstead Road, Ipswich.

The driver told police it was about 7am and he had just passed the A45 road when he saw a man dressed in blue, step out from a line of trees and walk along the track with his back to him.

The inquest heard that despite sounding the horn and applying the brakes the train hit Mr Smith killing him instantly.

Mr Smith died on July 26 this year.

Greater Suffolk Coroner Doctor Peter Dean said the 51-year-old cleaner had spoken to his wife Julie before the tragedy.

In a statement she said there had been some concerns about worries he had and he had mentioned self harming.

However she said before the collision Mr Smith did not sound any different.

Doctor Dean said Mrs Smith discovered a letter addressed to herself from her husband about a week later in a clothes cupboard.

Doctor Dean said: “He understood and intended the consequences of his actions. He did appear to be fully aware of what was going on so I must conclude that Mr Smith took his own life.

“The post mortem showed it would have all happened very quickly so that is of very small comfort.”

Mark Ward a major project engineer based at Norwich examined the train for defects after the incident but found the brakes and running equipment to be working correctly.