A GRIEVING sister told an inquest how she begged her brother not to step in front of a train.
Daniel Hammond, 25, from St James Square, Chichester, died just after 9.30pm on September 10 last year at the Whyke Road level crossing in Chichester.
While it happened, he was on the phone to his sister, Chantelle, who told the coroner in Chichester of her brother’s final words.
‘I was begging him not to do it. He said, “This is it,” and I heard a woman screaming at him,’ she said.
‘I didn’t believe Dan would do this.’
The inquest heard that Mr Hammond – who had attended Bourne Community College in Southbourne – had become paranoid after regularly using cannabis.
The train was travelling from Bognor to Portsmouth.
Deputy coroner Martin Milward: ‘We’re dealing here with a very, very troubled young man. He had clear drug, alcohol and mental health issues.
‘This was a very deliberate attempt by him to end his life.’