Dad killed by train after ‘lapse in concentration’

2:50pm Saturday 5th July 2008

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A FATHER was killed by a train in Budapest after a momentary lapse in concentration, an inquest heard.

Peter Cullum, aged 58, of Chapel Lane, Burtonwood, had been working as a contractor in Hungary, and was taking a short-cut to the airport where he worked when he was hit by a train.

“He took a step from one train and went into the other. He had his earphones on and obviously didn’t hear the signals at all.”

Janet Wilcock, Mr Cullum’s sister

Warrington Coroners’ Court heard on Thursday that Mr Cullum died from serious lacerations of the vital organs on November 9 last year.

Janet Wilcock, Mr Cullum’s sister of Exmouth Way, Burtonwood, said: “He was probably the happiest he had been.

“He worked in Naples and was in a relationship with a lady called Lucy from Norway.

“He planned to buy a plot of land in Africa for his retirement.”

The court heard a statement from the driver, which said that the train was travelling at around 100kmph when he saw someone by the right rail on the clearance area and then heard a thud.

Ms Wilcock, said: “We thought at the time it was quite foolish but apparently it was quite common for the contractors to take the short cut on the way to work.

“He took a step from one train and went into the other. He had his earphones on and obviously didn’t hear the signals at all.”

A post mortem examination revealed that Mr Cullum died at around 5pm.

Jean Harkin, assistant deputy coroner for Cheshire, said: “I’m satisfied that it happened accidently. “There’s nothing to lead me to believe that he wanted to take his own life.

This was a momentary lapse of concentration.”

She said that there was evidence to show that people could cross the line where the incident occurred.

A verdict of accidental death was recorded as Mr Cullum had died while attempting to cross to the other side of the track.