A MAN who lay down on train tracks in front of the 90mph Gatwick Express had travelled to Sussex on a one-way ticket from Australia.

James Butler filled out a landing card on arrival at Gatwick Airport saying he would be in the UK for one day before making his way to Hassocks.

The 25-year-old who had British, Australian and Canadian passports had been living in Sydney.

The student, who was born in Canada, had been living in Australia for three years.

British Transport Police investigator Rebecca Saunders said he flew from Sydney to Bangkok on October 12 last year.

He took another flight to Hong Kong three days later, then another plane on to Toronto before a final overnight journey to Gatwick.

A Gatwick Express train driver spotted him lying on the tracks near Hassocks Station the same day.

Michael Williams said he was not able to stop the 14.44 Victoria to Brighton express in time, the coroner’s court at Crawley heard.

Mr Butler had made his way to the Woodside foot crossing near the station on the main London to Brighton line.

Mr Butler was known to have had mental health issues in recent years, the inquest heard.

He took a taxi to Hassocks after booking into a guest house in Haywards Heath.

He also bought wine, vodka and beer from a Tesco supermarket in Crawley.

Transport police found he had posted messages to friends and family on Facebook in the days before his death.

He was hit by the Gatwick Express just before 3.30pm on October 18.

CCTV cameras on the front of the train confirmed he had emerged from the undergrowth before lying down on the tracks.

Assistant coroner Karen Harrold said: “In the part of the landing card where he’s asked to fill out the length of his stay, he has filled in one day.”

A report from transport police has recommended safety improvements at the crossing.

Ms Harrold recorded a conclusion of suicide.

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