Teen Died Trying To Save Friend From Oncoming Train, Inquest Hears

A 16-year-old boy died alongside his best friend after attempting to pull him from a railway track moments before an oncoming train struck them, an inquest has heard.

Joshua Myers and Jordan Everett were killed near Poynton station in Cheshire on July 3 last year when an Avanti West Coast service rounded a bend and hit them. Cheshire Coroner’s Court was told both boys died instantly.

Evidence heard during the inquest revealed that Joshua had been drinking vodka that evening and was described as “bladdered”. He had climbed over a fence and made his way onto the track. Witnesses said he shouted “I want to kill myself” shortly before doing so. Friends told the court that Joshua would often speak about ending his life when intoxicated, but they did not believe he would act on those comments.

Jordan followed him onto the railway and desperately tried to pull him clear. CCTV footage showed him attempting to push Joshua out of the train’s path. One witness told the inquest Jordan “screamed” at his friend to move before “rugby-tackling” him in an effort to save him. A friend who was present said: “They did everything together, they’ve died together as well.”

The train driver said he was travelling at approximately 111mph when he saw the two boys on the line. He told police: “They both looked desperate to get out of the way of the train.” Although he immediately applied the emergency brake, the train struck them a “split second” later.

Coroner Jacqueline Devonish recorded a conclusion of misadventure in relation to Joshua’s death, stating that despite his history of threats to harm himself, there was no evidence he intended to take his own life.

The inquest heard that Joshua had been on police bail following an allegation of sexual assault. His mother, Jenny, told the court he had been “miserable” after starting high school and had begun drinking and going missing. She said that among his peer group, phrases such as “I want to kill myself” were common.

“It was what they all said – ‘I want to kill myself’,” she said.

“It was thrown about like it didn’t mean anything.”

After concerns were raised, social services became involved and Joshua attended Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services appointments. His mother described a further “massive change” in him after the sexual assault allegation, telling the inquest he was “treated like an animal” by police and later “hounded on social media” following his release on bail. The family temporarily left their home and Joshua refused to return to school.

A GP appointment revealed he had been using ketamine, cannabis, ecstasy and MDMA, alongside heavy alcohol consumption. Dr Megan Davey told the court it was clear he was “struggling” and that feelings of suicidality sometimes arose when substances were involved. He was referred back to CAMHS and placed on a waiting list.

Jenny told the inquest she believed her son had been “failed by every professional and service that he came into contact with”. She described him as “vulnerable” and said the family had “repeatedly sought help”.

“Josh did not want to die,” she added.

“We know he would have been terrified. His death wasn’t something he wanted or planned.”

Image: British Transport Police