Carnforth rail death open verdict (From The Westmorland Gazette)
When news happens, text KENEWS and your photos and videos to 80360. Or contact us by email or phone.
Carnforth news RSS Feed Send your news, pictures & videos
Carnforth rail death open verdict
9:20am Wednesday 9th November 2011 in Carnforth news
AN OPEN verdict has been recorded over the death of a teenager on a railway line.
An inquest in Lancaster heard the body of Alan Woods was spotted by a train driver on the line near Carnforth's Truckhaven, on June 18, as he drove the 5.56am Lancaster to Windermere service.
Pathologist Nicolas Mapstone concluded the 17-year-old, of Carnforth, died from 'multiple injuries consistent with being hit by a train'.
But none of the 20 other train drivers who passed the line in the night remembered, when quizzed by officers, anything untoward happening.
Simon Jones, deputy coroner for North Lancashire, said none of theories about Alan’s death that were suggested during the inquest, including foul play, had sufficient evidence to support them.
The inquest heard that a few days after Alan’s body was found, a man being taken to Lancaster’s custody cells told a community support officer ‘everybody knows Alan was pushed’.
However, detective sergeant Glenn Lee, who investigated the comments, said he could find no evidence to support the claim, which was later retracted by the man.
Another possibility raised at the inquest was whether the 17-year-old took his own life.
His mother Shelley Woods, of Prince Avenue, Carnforth, heard from a friend Alan had seen a counsellor at Lancaster and Morecambe College, where he studied joinery.
“I can’t believe he couldn’t come to talk to me,” said Mrs Woods. “He talked to me about everything. As a family we are devastated.
“He had a sensible head on his shoulders. My impression was something spooked him but we can't prove it.”
She added he was a 'happy' normal boy and she did not think he was depressed.
Police could find no proof Alan had seen a counsellor as the centre allowed patients to remain anonymous.
Recording an open verdict, Mr Jones said: “The death of a 17-year-old boy in these circumstances is a tragedy."
