Inquest hears former England cricketer Graham Thorpe was struck by train

His wife had previously revealed the 55 year old took his own life

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe died after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey, the opening of an inquest into his death has heard.

The 55-year-old took his own life, his wife Amanda Thorpe revealed previously.

The former batter died on the morning of August 4 having suffered “traumatic injuries” during the incident at Esher railway station, Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking heard.

The area coroner for Surrey, Simon Wickens, recorded his cause of death as one of multiple injuries during the short hearing.

The coroner offered his “sincere condolences” not just to Mr Thorpe’s family, but to “all those touched by his life and career”.

A date for Mr Thorpe’s full inquest will be fixed at a later time.

Tributes flooded in for one of the nation’s best Test players after the England and Wales Cricket Board announced on August 5 that he had died.

The coroner had received a referral from British Transport Police.

The force said previously: “Officers were called to Esher railway station at 8.26am on August 4 to reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended, however sadly a person was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident is not being treated as suspicious.”

Amanda Thorpe told The Times that her husband attempted suicide two years ago before taking his own life this month.

“Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health,” she told the newspaper.

“But mental illness is a real disease and can affect anyone.

“Despite having a wife and two daughters whom he loved and who loved him, he did not get better.

“He was so unwell in recent times and he really did believe that we would be better off without him and we are devastated that he acted on that and took his own life.”

Mr Thorpe’s daughter Kitty said the family “are not ashamed” of talking about his death, adding: “There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma.”

Charities praised the family for being open about what happened, with the Samaritans chief executive saying it is “really important” to have honest conversations about suicide.

Julie Bentley added: “Talking openly can help to break the stigma surrounding the subject and can encourage people who are struggling to get the vital support they need.”

Mr Thorpe was a mainstay in the England set-up for many years, first as a batter between 1993 and 2005 before spending 12 years in coaching roles, but was admitted to hospital in May 2022 and declared “seriously ill”.

During a distinguished international career, he struck 16 Test hundreds for England, including a debut century against Australia at Trent Bridge in 1993, and represented his country 182 times in all formats.

Current Test players Ben Stokes, Joe Root and Ben Duckett hailed Mr Thorpe after the news of his death emerged, while retired England bowler Stuart Broad described him as a “wonderful person”.

Samaritans can be contacted on 116 123 or at www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

Published: 13/08/2024 by Radio NewsHub