Michael Isaacs

A WESTON man phoned his ex-partner to make her listen to a train before he threw himself in front of it.

An inquest into the death of Michael Isaacs held today (Thurs) also revealed he had been depressed ever since his daughter Georgia died when she was just a day old, leaving behind her twin brother.

Michael died aged 30 on the Windwhistle footpath on the train line which runs through the Bournville estate.

He had taken cocaine and amphetamines and drunk heavily before he phoned his ex-girlfriend, Tracey Clewes, and stood on the tracks on September 16, 2007.

Michael, who lived in Coleridge Road on the estate, had a history of depression and had even tried to commit suicide before by throwing himself off a building.

At the inquest into his death a statement from Tracey was read out by a coroner's officer.

It said: "When we lived together Michael was taking anti-depressants and was very sad about the death of his daughter.

"When he drank he suffered mood swings and was like Jeykll and Hyde, completely happy then feeling sorry for himself.

"He moved out in July 2007 and I thought we could be friends.

"On September 16 there were more calls from him than usual and he insisted we meet for lunch.

"We left on good terms and he was making plans to go on holiday and go for professional help about Georgia. I left him at 3.30pm and leaned in for a kiss and a hug.

"He seemed far more sensible and mature than he had seemed in a long time.

"At about 6.30pm he phoned and text me. He had been drinking heavily and said he was going to kill himself. I didn't think he would do it and I told him not to be selfish.

"At 7.50pm he called and said 'can you hear this? Hang on a minute' and I heard a train and then heard nothing more.

"I didn't believe him and thought he was winding me up.

"The next day I went to pick up my son from school and heard the mums saying that someone had died on the train line."

Michael had stood in front of the First Great Western train travelling from Exeter to Bristol Temple Meads.

The train driver, Desmond Peet, had sounded the horn twice. Once before the crossing to warn any pedestrians ahead, and again when he spotted Michael.

Mr Peet said: "I saw Michael hold something out in one hand and his other hand was clutched tight to his chest."

First on the scene were trainee nurse Beth Caygill who was a passenger on the train, conductor Neil Godbear and Mr Peet.

Beth was commended by deputy coroner Brian Whitehouse for offering to help, checking Michael's pulse and staying with him on the train line.

A post mortem held later revealed 366mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood. 300mg is classed as 'seriously intoxicated' and can be enough to kill someone.

Evidence of cocaine and amphetamines were also found in his system and Michael had been spotted drinking cans on a park bench near to the train line a few minutes before he died.

Mr Whitehouse said: "I accept the medical cause of death as being traumatic brain injury.

"I record a narrative verdict that Michael killed himself while under the influence of alcohol and suffering from depression.

"I offer the whole family my condolences."

After the inquest, Michael's mother Mrs Isaacs told the train driver she did not lay any blame on him and presented him with a photograph of her son.