Man, 26, died after he was hit by a train, an inquest hears
A MAN who died after being hit by a train had been researching train timetables before his death, an inquest heard.
Luciano Bondi was killed after being struck by the train travelling from London Paddington to Swansea shortly after noon on March 31 this year.
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 the British Transport Police said the train was being driven by a driver who had 35 years’ experience, and who had begun reducing the speed of the train as it approached Port Talbot.
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”.
Mr Bondi was pronounced dead at the scene.
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 in the area.
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 with the help of a support worker.
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 in 2020 of visions of a train which frightened him, although he denied any intention of realising them.
A post mortem said that Mr Bondi died after suffering “multiple severe injuries”.
Acting senior coroner Colin Phillips said: “There was no lawful reason for Luciano Bondi to be on the track and the train driver’s view was it was a deliberate act.
“He was not being chased or pursued, there was no third person or suspicious circumstances.
“It appears he had been researching timetables of trains and had previous visions of such a scenario, and previous suicidal behaviour.
“He had a long standing history of mental health issues and substance abuse, although support workers felt he had improved.
“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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