A CARLISLE man who died after being hit by a train had suffered from mental health difficulties and was “subject to police enquiries”, an inquest has heard.

Thomas William Reed, latterly of the city’s Pinecroft, behind Kingstown Road, is said to have died on a railway line linking Carlisle and Newcastle, near Howe Mill, Brampton, on November 17 this year.

Mr Reed was aged 66 at the time.

An inquest into his death was formerly opened at Cockermouth Coroners’ Court this morning (Thursday).

That task was performed by an assistant coroner for Cumbria, Dr Nicholas Shaw.

During the short hearing, Dr Shaw noted: “The brief circumstances are that he (Mr Reed) was struck by a railway train.

“It’s known that he had some mental health difficulties and also was subject to some police enquiries."

Formal identification of the deceased had been provided by a fingerprints officer, said Dr Shaw.

“Under the circumstances an inquest is clearly required,” added the coroner. “Further enquiries are continuing.”

The hearing was adjourned and a date for a provisional full inquest was set for April 18, 2024.

* Reed had been facing more than a dozen criminal charges, to which no pleas had yet been entered. Reed was due to have appeared in front of a judge at Carlisle Crown Court for a plea and trial preparation hearing on November 22.

On that date, a judge heard from legal counsel that the defendant was understood to have passed away, and that a death certificate was being sought.