A GRANDDAD who was hit by a train in Acton Bridge took his own life, a coroner has concluded.

Lawrence Marr, 47, of Ashurst Drive, Blackbrook, St Helens, died in the evening of Tuesday, March 21, near to Acton Bridge Station.

An inquest held at Warrington on Monday heard that Mr Marr, a former roofer who had been off work due to a back injury, had lost his daughter six-years-ago and his sister shortly before that.

In an impact statement, read by area coroner for Cheshire, Claire Hammond, his wife Susan said: “He was a loving husband and family man with a great sense of humour and the children’s childhood was happy.

“He had a small group of friends from rugby and cycling and was a keen cyclist, he often went out riding, returning late at night.

“On losing our daughter six-years-ago we contemplated taking our lives as we were both overwhelmed with grief but this did not continue and we continued to enjoy our time together.”

She noted that he went out riding the day he died and hugged her 'tighter than usual' before telling her he loved her.

On March 21 at around 8pm the driver of the Virgin train travelling from Liverpool towards London recorded striking something and hearing 'a loud bang'.

However, as it was ‘pitch black and pouring rain' the driver could not see what had been hit and pulled over at the next station, Acton Bridge.

The train was then taken to Milton Keynes for examination and transport police later found the body of the dad-of-four further up the track near an access point between Sutton Weaver and Acton Bridge.

A mountain bike with a bag containing a note containing Mr Marr’s next of kin information and an apology was uncovered near where his body was found.

Another note apologising to his family, describing the area where he was planning to take his life and expressing his love for his family was later found at his home.

He had no recorded medical history of depression and the day before his death had been dancing at his granddaughter’s birthday party.

Delivering the verdict of suicide, coroner Claire Hammond said: “Lawrence Joseph Marr died on the railway line near Acton Bridge as a result of fatal injuries he sustained when he put himself in the path of an oncoming train and my conclusion is that of suicide.

“I give my deepest condolences to all of Mr Marr’s family at this unbelievably difficult time that they have lost him in such circumstances. I wish them all well for the future.”