Inquest Finds Man Hit by Train at Colchester Station Took His Own Life

A 34-year-old man died after being struck by a train at Colchester North railway station, an inquest has heard, with the coroner concluding he took his own life while experiencing significant psychological distress.

Abdelrahman Abdelkarim was hit by a moving train in May last year. Essex Coroner’s Court was told he had arrived in the UK from Sudan in 2015 and initially lived in Birmingham before relocating to Colchester in 2024. He lived in a house of multiple occupancy alongside his brother, Ilyas, and was described as being very close to his family.

Area Coroner Michelle Brown heard that Mr Abdelkarim had a history of mental ill health and had been diagnosed with schizophrenia. The court was also told he had a previous conviction for possession of a knife. Both he and his brother had been granted immigration status.

A report submitted to the court by Refugee, Asylum Seeker and Migrant Action (RAMA), a voluntary support organisation, said Mr Abdelkarim’s landlady had seen him on May 22 and noted that “all seemed well”. The report added: “We don’t know what may have been the last straw for him. He was clearly suffering trauma.”

The same report described Ilyas as a “pleasant and gentle man” whose “great English improved weekly”, while Abdelrahman was characterised as “unwell but a good tenant”.

Ms Brown said:

“I conclude that Abdelrahman Abdelkarim from Colchester died on May 24th 2025 at Colchester Railway Station due to polytrauma due to a collision with a moving train. The conclusion based on a balance of probabilities that having looked at all the evidence, the fact that he was not under the influence of any substances, that he did an act with an intention to take his own life.”

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