A MAN who died after being hit by a train in York had a history of depression, an inquest heard.

Sean Maher was found with serious head injuries near a A1237 road bridge at the railway line last Thursday morning.

At an inquest yesterday, York coroner Donald Coverdale said Mr Maher, 46, who lived locally in Esk Drive, had been prescribed anti-depressants after bouts of depression and an attempted suicide bid last year. He had been receiving ongoing treatment for his depression.

At the hearing in Sentinel House, York, Mr Coverdale said British Transport Police were called at about 7.40am after receiving a report of a body on the tracks.

Officers found Mr Maher’s body about 200 metres from the crossing.

Officers from North Yorkshire Police later identified the body.

Mr Coverdale gave a preliminary cause of death as multiple injuries. The inquest was adjourned to allow family to make funeral arrangements.

As The Press previously reported British Transport Police (BTP) officers spent more than an hour examining the scene following the incident.

A spokeswoman for Northern Rail said the driver of the train had been given support and counselling.