An inquest is under way to determine the circumstances surrounding the death of former retained firefighter, Gary Cook.

Mr Cook, 67, stepped off platform one at West Malling station and into the path of the 14.46 Ashford to Cannon Street train, on May 17 last year.

A jury of six women and five men were sworn in at the Archbishop's Palace in Maidstone this morning for an inquest expected to last three days.

They heard Mr Cook had been caught on the station’s CCTV parking his Mazda pick-up in the car park and entering the station where he examined the train information boards on both platforms before briefly returning to his car.

He then went back onto the platform and stood at the far end until the train pulled in.

In a statement read out in court, train driver Richard Crump said his attention was drawn to Mr Cook as his train entered the station because he was standing in a “very regimented way” as though standing to attention.

Mr Crump was already braking the train for the stop, but said there was a brief moment when the two exchanged eye contact.

Mr Cook then walked across the platform and onto the track and Mr Crump braked harder, but couldn’t avoid the impact.

Mr Cook died at the scene from multiple injuries.

Detective Constable Paula Bennett said Mr Cook’s shoes, mobile phone and a biro pen had been found on the platform.

In his car was a notebook with the word “sorry” written on it.

After interviewing other witnesses, police were satisfied no third party had been involved.

The jury heard Mr Cook from Falcon Green, Larkfield, had been a voluntary patient at Priority House, the mental health care unit of the Maidstone and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust after slashing his wrists three weeks earlier.

Dr Anath Puranik, the consultant psychiatrist for senior patients at The Orchards ward where Mr Cook was staying, said that Mr Cook had “bizarre” anxieties about abdominal pains that he said he was experiencing.

These had been investigated over several months by doctors in both the private sector and the NHS, but although a full range of medical tests had been carried out, no medical explanation of the cause had been found.

Dr Puranik said Mr Cook nevertheless remained convinced that he had a serious illness and he could become a burden to his family.

Dr Puranik said in that sense, Mr Cook was delusional.

He confirmed Mr Cook was considered to be at risk and was subject to 10-minute observations on the ward, but as part of his therapy he was allowed out in the company of either staff or family members.

He had spoken of a desire to return to his newly renovated flat and taking family holidays. He had not stated an intention to take his own life.

The inquest continues.