Ex-pat was killed after he stepped onto train tracks
ABRITISH ex-pat died after being hit by a train at a Stockport station on his first trip to the UK in a decade, an inquest heard.
Nicholas Carroll, 59, had been due to return home to his family for Christmas when he inexplicably walked onto the tracks at Gatley station last December.
He was hit by a highspeed train and was killed instantly.
Police investigating the tragedy, which happened on December 22, discovered Mr Carroll had been treated in hospital in Ashford, Middlesex, two days earlier for a cut to the head after being clipped by a lorry.
They investigated whether Mr Carroll took his own life, but found no note or any evidence to suggest he intended to kill himself.
Relatives in the UK were unaware he was in Britain until they learned of his death.
Stockport Coroners’ Court was told Mr Carroll, a married father of one originally from Huddersfield, moved to Canada in 1982 with his wife Rogayah and settled in the town of Cochrane near Calgary, Alberta.
He had suffered from severe homesickness after they first left England, but his wife said it soon passed and up until 2007 he made regular trips to the UK to visit relatives.
The retired teacher was in the UK to withdraw money from his British bank accounts with a view to depositing them in his accounts back in Canada December.
In a statement Mrs Carroll said: “He didn’t have any mental health issues. I didn’t have any concerns about him.
“While he was there I found out it was his uncle Terry’s 90th birthday. He had been quite close with his uncle after his parents died. He had no financial problems.
“He didn’t drink, he was teetotal. Nick was part of an open family where we discussed most things. He would get a plane to Manchester and a train to Huddersfield.
“He suffered with depression but he had no mental health issues.”
British Transport Police officer Leanne Callan told the hearing: “He arrived in London from Calgary on December 13, 2017 and stayed last at the Premier Inn in Heathrow.
“He travelled to Manchester Piccadilly railway station, arriving at 9.31pm. He then boarded a train to Wilmslow at 10.43pm, but got off at Gatley at 11.06pm. He appeared to be comfortable.
“Then, all of a sudden, he appears to walk onto the tracks and he is hit by a high speed train. There was no intent to commit suicide, there was no note or change in his behaviour. We have drawn a blank.”
A post mortem test showed Mr Carroll died from multiple injuries.
Recording a narrative verdict Coroner Alison Mutch said: “We will never know what or why he stepped on the tracks at the point that he did.
“I am not satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he intended to take his own life.”