Woman, 35, killed herself on railway line three years after boyfriend ended his life the same way

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Laura Coulling visited the Anchor pub with friends on the day of her death

A WOMAN took her own life on a stretch of railway three years after her partner died the same way, an inquest heard.

Laura Victoria Coulling’s body was found with condolence cards for her boyfriend, Stuart Hedley, and photographs of them together.

The 35-year-old was struggling with the death of her car mechanic boyfriend as she had said she “could not stand being alone”, Winchester Coroner’s Court heard.

Laura had previously tried to take her own life on the same stretch of track near Ipswitch, Suffolk, but was stopped by train staff.

Stuart was 34 when stepped in front a train in 2016.

He was previously at a family gathering before he went to the railway crossing.

Laura took her life on a train track in Southampton, Hants., on May 24.

The inquest heard how Laura had been drinking with friends at a pub.

Anchor Pub landlord Wayne Woods said in a statement she had been in “good spirits”.

HEARTBREAKING TRAGEDY

He said he was aware that Laura, who was a regular customer, had been suffering from depression but described her actions as “very out of character”.

British Transport Police investigating officer Rebecca Saunders said she left the pub and went to her home, which was at the back of the pub car park.

It is believed she changed her clothes and collected the photographs and the card she was found with.

A report from GP Dr Lisa Manalang said Laura was seen by paramedics in a state of deteriorating mental health and self-harm in the weeks before she died.

A post-mortem by pathologist Dr Vipul Foria provided a cause of death as multiple traumatic injuries.

Laura’s alcohol level was 2.9 times the drink-drive limit and her cocaine levels were consistent with recreational use, according to toxicology test results.

She also had therapeutic levels of an antidepressant she was prescribed and ibuprofen.

Coroner Samantha Marsh recorded her death was a suicide.

She said: “Laura sadly never recovered from what happened to Stuart and the choices he made.”

John, Laura’s dad, said: “She was good fun and she loved life. She was very vivacious, she like to socialise, she liked people, she could not stand being alone.”

YOU’RE NOT ALONE

EVERY 90 minutes in the UK a life is lost to suicide.

It doesn’t discriminate, touching the lives of people in every corner of society – from the homeless and unemployed to builders and doctors, reality stars and footballers.

It’s the biggest killer of people under the age of 35, more deadly than cancer and car crashes.

And men are three times more likely to take their own life than women.

Yet it’s rarely spoken of, a taboo that threatens to continue its deadly rampage unless we all stop and take notice, now.

That is why The Sun launched the You’re Not Alone campaign.

The aim is that by sharing practical advice, raising awareness and breaking down the barriers people face when talking about their mental health, we can all do our bit to help save lives.

Let’s all vow to ask for help when we need it, and listen out for others… You’re Not Alone.

If you, or anyone you know, needs help dealing with mental health problems, the following organisations provide support:

  • CALM, www.thecalmzone.net, 0800 585 858
  • Heads Together, www.headstogether.org.uk
  • Mind, www.mind.org.uk, 0300 123 3393
  • Papyrus, www.papyrus-uk.org, 0800 068 41 41
  • Samaritans, www.samaritans.org, 116 123