A MAN who killed himself on a busy railway line had suffered severe mental health problems for a number of years, an inquest has heard.

Ben Johnson, 29, who suffered from bi-polar disorder, wrote a suicide note before gaining access to the West Coast Main Line where he was struck by a freight train, the jury inquest at Kendal was told.

Traffic inspector David McCutcheon said Mr Johnson had been hit by the train at Moss Lane underbridge, at around 12.30am on November 4 last year after getting on to the line through a locked gate.

He said Mr Johnson, of Moss Lane, Holme, had left a suicide note stating there was nothing anyone could do and it was nobody’s fault.

Margaret Stewart, consultant pathologist at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, reported that Mr Johnson had died of severe head injuries and other serious, multiple injuries.

Diane Johnson said her son had suffered from bi-polar disorder for a number of years and his condition had worsened following a camping holiday in Scotland in May last year.

She said her son had become increasingly depressed until his death.

Dr Stuart Allan, GP, of the Stoneleigh Surgery, Milnthorpe, said Mr Johnson was “a very sensitive, genuine individual” who was very affable and approachable.

He had treated Mr Johnson for a number of years and believed he had developed a strong rapport with his patient.

Dr Allan said bi-polar disorder had affected Mr Johnson in a number of ways.

In May 2008, he had experienced hallucinations and delusions while on a camping trip in Scotland.

On October 29, Dr Allan referred Mr Johnson to the Crisis Team – a body that assesses suicide risk.

Clare Torn, manager of the Crisis Team, said Mr Johnson had been visited daily and was last seen by a nurse on November 3.

At that time he reported feeling better, less anxious and happy about the prospect of moving back home.

The jury returned an open verdict.

Coroner Ian Smith said that Mr Johnson had died as a consequence of his own actions while suffering from a severe mental illness.