A man struck by a train in Hoylake had a history of mental illness, an inquest heard today.

Paul Rutter, 51, was struck at a foot crossing on April 3 by Liverpool-bound service from West Kirby .

An inquest heard that train driver George Hamlet applied the emergency brakes, but there was nothing he could do to avoid the train hitting Mr Rutter.

The Birkenhead man died at Aintree hospital on April 6 from multiple injuries.

The court in Kirkdale heard how Mr Rutter had suffered from a form of mental disorder, for which he received treatment from Cheshire and Wirral Partnership Trust.

The Wirral man had been seen by a psychiatrist and had received outreach care from Wallasey and West Wirral adult mental health team.

But referring to an NHS report, coroner Mr Willis described how Mr Rutter “lacked insight” and “did not accept his mental illness”.

He was “often non-compliant” with medication he had been prescribed.

The inquest, at the Gerard Majella Courthouse, on Boundary Street, was attended by Mr Rutter’s mum Hilary and his sister Amanda.

British Transport Police carried out an “extensive” investigation into his death, the court heard.

Recording a verdict of suicide while suffering from a form of mental disorder, Mr Willis said: “It seems to be very plain Mr Rutter undertook these action, appreciating what the consequences would be.

“Throughout much of his life, he suffered with mental disorder, he received treatment and he was not always compliant.

“He had seemed stable and had seen one community team just a few days before this tragic event.

“Quite what his state of mind was is less clear.”

The Melrose Avenue crossing has previously been criticised as being unsafe and has been the scene of several tragic incidents.

In 1999 Railtrack - now known as Network Rail - spent £40,000 improving safety at the spot.