A MAN took his own life by lying in front of a train shortly after leaving home without saying goodbye to his wife.

An inquest was told that Leonard Read, 65, of Orchard Grove, Minster, near Sheerness, died at Sittingbourne railway station on February 27.

Mr Read was hit by a train just short of the platform.

The inquest, at Gillingham, heard how Mr Read had been suffering from a heart condition and had recently had a triple bypass operation. He had been feeling extremely sick, tired and down.

He had discharged himself from Medway Maritime Hospital at Gillingham, the day before his death.

On that morning, the coroner was told, he left his home at around 9.30am without telling his wife, Glenda, where he was going or even saying goodbye.

He was seen on CCTV footage at the station about an hour later, buying a ticket and walking on to the platform. It is thought Mr Read waited for a train to approach the station before lying across the tracks.

The driver said he saw the man scramble across the tracks and lie across them. He pulled the emergency brake, but the train was unable to stop in time.

Verdict: suicide.