Man died after he was hit by train

A MAN who had been researching train timetables on his computer died after being struck by a train, an inquest heard.

Luciano Bondi was pronounced dead at the scene after being struck by the train travelling from London Paddington to Swansea shortly after midday on March 31.

The 26-year-old had previously being diagnosed with paranoid schizophrenia and had displayed “suicidal gestures”, an inquest into his death held at Swansea’s Guildhall was told.

John Wilson, a coroner’s investigating officer for British Transport Police, said the train was being driven by a driver who had 35 years’ experience, and who had begun reducing the train’s speed from 90 to 70mph at it approached Port Talbot station, when he saw Mr Bondi.

He said: “It happened so quickly he was unable to sound his horn but engaged the brakes, but he could not stop the train at such a short distance.

“British Transport Police found nothing to suggest foul play or third party involvement.”

A subsequent search of his home found no notes or voicemail to suggest it was a deliberate attempt to take his own life, but his brother Joseph discovered on his computer a search for times of trains travelling west to Port Talbot.

Mr Wilson said Mr Bondi’s mother believed he had been coping well despite his previous problems, and wanted to live independently and had inquired about enrolling on an IT course.

He had been living in a flat in Tal y Wern in Margam, which was just 100 metres from where he died. A mental health support worker who had seen him less than a week earlier had noted he appeared “well groomed, chatty and good humoured, and it came as a surprise to her”, said Mr Wilson.

However, the court was also told he had told support workers last year about visions involving a train which frightened him, although he denied any intention of realising them.

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Bondi died after suffering “multiple severe injuries”.

Acting senior coroner Colin Phillips said: “Having considered the evidence I have to find the appropriate conclusion of whether it is suicide. I have to be satisfied that he carried out the act that caused his death and secondly that he had intended to do so. On the balance of probabilities it is more likely than not, so my conclusion is one of suicide.”

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