Tragic pensioner hit by 70mph train, inquest hears

Just hours before he died, Charles Summerton stopped off at the nursing home where she lived as he did every week but this time took the unusual step of paying her next month's fee up-front.

He was then dropped off by a taxi at Cooden Beach station but never caught a train during the four or five hours he spent in the area according to several sightings.

Remains of his body were discovered the following morning on the track near Pevensey Sluice level crossing in Bexhill.

A post mortem showed Mr Summerton, of Alexander Drive, Bexhill, had died from 'catastrophic' multiple injuries.

Staff at the nursing home where his wife had lived for three years noticed a change in him leading up to his final visit on 22 July last year.

In a statement read out at an inquest on Wednesday a member of staff at Greenaways rest home said: "He'd always visit on Sundays and Wednesdays and would telephone at 8.15am every day to check on his wife.

"She was very confused and suffered from loss of memory.

"He handed over an envelope with a month's rent and a bag of toiletries for his wife which was unusual because he always paid at the end of the month.

"He said we were doing a great job looking after her but he seemed upset.

"He'd appeared very upset over the last few weeks.

"He'd said he had medical problems, such as with his breathing. He'd always been very happy but there was something wrong."

Mr Summerton was dropped off at Cooden Beach during the middle of the afternoon and was seen several times walking in the area.

Train driver Clive Wood, of Sackville Road, Bexhill, described how he didn't stand a chance of avoiding Mr Summerton as he reached speeds of up to 70mph on the 9.22pm Ashford to Eastbourne train.

"It was pitch black but I saw a form just as I hit it.

"I thought someone had dropped concrete onto the line and rang the signalman."

Mr Summerton's body was discovered the following morning by a passing train.

An inquest jury returned an open verdict.