A LOVED and respected Basingstoke father of two died by stepping out in front of a train, a coroner heard.

Daniel John Mosdell, 37, was struck by the train heading through Newnham, near Hook on Saturday, September 7, 2019.

At Basingstoke Coroner’s Court on Tuesday, the driver said it was “too late” to stop. 

In a written statement, driver Alan Rushby said he saw “something white in the distance” six minutes after leaving Basingstoke. 

He said: “On approaching Hook, I could see the person was a man. I was unable to stop and pushed the emergency button and informed the signaller and train guard that I had stopped the train.”

“It all happened extremely quickly,” Mr Rushby added.

The court heard that Dan took his own life after battling depression for 16 years.

British Transport Police (BTP) were called to the incident on the railway line on Saturday, September 7 to reports that a person had been hit by a train.

Dr Bineeta Foria, a Consultant in Cellular Pathology said in a written statement that Dan’s body was found crushed on the railway track.

The post-mortem examination was only able to identify the deceased by his fingerprints.

The 37-year-old suffered multiple injuries caused by the train.

Claire Tilly from BTP said: “It looks as if he was trying to get off the track before the train arrived, but it was not possible before the train pulled up. The train was travelling at 85mph.”

Dan battled with drink problems and was in a “dark frame of mind, thinking people were against him". He had been dry for five years at the time.

His long-term partner Danielle said: “I never thought in a million years that this would happen. People loved him and he had the upmost respect.”

His father David told the court: “He was always excited about the future and marrying Danielle.

“The last five years were up and down and the six months leading to the tragedy were very concerning.”

On Friday, September 6, Dan stayed at his father’s house and went missing the next morning. 

His father found him “completely soaked through” and in a “calm and agitated state”.

Afterwards, Dan arrived at Danielle’s house and went to sleep. He got up the next morning to go and look for his phone which was never found, the court heard.

Acting area coroner, Samantha Marsh concluded that Dan had died as a result of suicide.

Memorialising his life, Danielle said: “Dan was a great man. He would do anything for anyone and people he knew loved him.”

His father added: “The amount of people who turned up at the funeral was overwhelming.”

For emotional support, contact the Samaritans on 116 123.