Glyn Cole, of Malborough Close, Langney, died in the early hours of December 11, 2007 after being hit by a high speed train which was travelling to Eastbourne in the early hours of the morning without passengers on board.

An inquest into Mr Cole's death was heard on Friday (August 15) and coroner Alan Craze was told the retired salesman attempted to take his life on the railway on November 17 but changed his mind at the last minute.

Southern train driver Rebecca Goldsmith was travelling through Pevensey and Westham station at around 70 miles per hour on November 17 when she came to an emergency stop after seeing a face in the headlights.

When stationary she realised it was a near miss and she had not struck the man. Ms Goldsmith carried on to Eastbourne and shortly after the incident Southern signaller Kevin Greenlow saw Mr Cole walking out from the railway line.

"I asked him, 'Are you aware you were nearly hit by the train?' And then I offered him some assistance," said Mr Greenlow.

"He said, 'No, I am not okay' and then he walked off.

"He looked distressed. I have witnessed one or two suicides on the railway so I have seen the signs before."

On December 11 train driver Robert Audley also came to an emergency stop, near Pevensey and Westham railway station, after the train struck Mr Cole, who was lying on the track.

Mr Audley thought he had hit a metal object, went to investigate with conductor Christopher Golab, and found the body.

Mr Cole had a history of self- harming and depression and had spent three months in a psychiatric ward at Eastbourne DGH in the early part of 2007.

Mr Cole's brother, David Cole, said, "He was self-contained and self-dependant. I would describe him as very insecure."

Mr Craze recorded a verdict of suicide and said, "This was a sad and tragic death and there is no doubt in my mind that it was a deliberate act."

Mr Craze said he thought Mr Cole had been planning to take his own life in this way for at least a month.