A MAN who felt under pressure at work died after being hit by a train at Hambleton Junction, near Selby.

An inquest heard that Benjamin Mayes, of Low Street, Carlton, took his own life on February 25 this year.

Mr Mayes, 31, worked as an accountant with Ginetta, a sports car company, and was in a loving marriage with his wife of five years, Katie.

Mrs Mayes said her husband had been worried in the months before his death about the theft of some parts from the company, which he felt he may be held responsible for. The inquest heard, however, he had no reason to be concerned.

She said he also had trouble sleeping, and was sent home from work by his colleagues in the week prior to his death. Mrs Mayes said she returned home on that occasion to find that he was intending to self-harm.

At that point he agreed to speak to his GP, who said Mr Mayes had seemed embarrassed about the incident, and claimed he was “under some pressure at work which was having a toll on his emotions”. He also said Mr Mayes “did not present a major risk” to himself.

Mr Mayes was advised to take some time off work, and spent two days resting at home until the morning of February 24, when he returned and said he “felt really good”, and Mrs Mayes “thought he looked good, his old self”.

The inquest heard Mr Mayes had sent his wife a text on the afternoon of his death, advising her he would be working late. When he had not returned by 7pm, she drove to his office and then reported him missing to the police when told he had left work at 5.30pm.

Robert Buchanan, the driver of the train, said the vehicle was travelling at about 125mph, when something hit the front of the train.

Mr Buchanan also said he believed Mr Mayes had the welfare of the driver and passengers in mind, because the location of the incident meant the train veered to the right, and avoided injury to the driver or derailment. Mr Buchanan said he was very sorry for what had happened.

Coroner Rob Turnbull recorded that Mr Mayes had taken his own life, and told Mrs Mayes: “It’s very clear he didn’t have any problems he couldn’t have worked through, and there was nothing more you or anyone could have done to help him.”