A MAN was took his own life by lying in front of a train just hours after his relationship ended, an inquest heard.

Paul Arnold died near the level-crossing in Lymington Road, Brockenhurst, after being struck shortly after 5am on November 23.

Winchester Coroner’s Court heard the 29-year-old, of Foxholes Road, Bournemouth, had an argument with his partner and the relationship ended.

In the early hours of the morning, Mr Arnold travelled to Brockenhurst Railway Station, the site of a similar suicide attempt around six years earlier.

Rebecca Saunders, a coroner’s inquiry co-ordinator for the British Transport Police, told the inquest he had “made a concerted effort to take his life” following the breakdown of a previous relationship. Mr Arnold survived on that occasion, but Ms Saunders said he lost both his legs, and was given prosthetic limbs.

She added that on both occasions he had sent similar suicide messages, although on the most recent attempt his partner had blocked his phone because he continued to contact her after the argument.

The inquest also heard from the train driver involved who said he saw an “obstacle” on the track that “looked like a bike frame”.

Sean Trive, who was driving the a non-passenger train, said: “I immediately applied the brakes. [The train] was unable to stop and went over the obstacle.”

After reporting the incident, Mr Trive was told to continue and another train was tasked to investigate. Upon discovering Mr Arnold’s body, the British Transport Police were called.

Pathologist Dr Vipul Foria said the cause of death for Mr Arnold was a “decapitation injury”, adding there were no drugs or alcohol detected in his blood at the time of his death.

Senior coroner Grahame Short recorded a verdict of suicide.