Graham Thorpe death: England cricket legend was struck by train as he took own life

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Graham Thorpe death: England cricket legend was struck by train as he took own life
Graham Thorpe death: England cricket legend was struck by train as he took own life

At Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking, Area Coroner Simon Wickens offered his "sincere condolences" not just to Mr Thorpe’s family, but to "all those touched by his life and career".

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. At Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking, Area Coroner Simon Wickens offered his "sincere condolences" not just to Mr Thorpe’s family, but to "all those touched by his life and career". 

The England and Wales Cricket Board announced on August 5 that Thorpe had died at the age of 55 and tributes quickly flooded in for the gifted left-handed batter who was regarded as one of the best players of his generation.

Thorpe’s family have been praised for their “courage in talking openly” about his mental health struggles, detailing how he had been suffering from “major depression and anxiety” in recent years before he took his own life.

Ahead of the inquest, British Transport Police said: “Officers were called to Esher railway station at 8.26am on 4 August 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.”

Thorpe’s widow Amanda told The Times: “Graham was renowned as someone who was very mentally strong on the field and he was in good physical health. 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.” Kitty, one of his daughters, said the family is “not ashamed of talking about it”.

 She told the newspaper: “There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma. We were trying to help him get better before and trying to protect him, which is why we said nothing. This is the time now to share the news, however horrible it is. We’ve wanted to be able to talk and share and we’d now like to raise awareness too.”

Thomas Brown

Deaths, Graham Thorpe

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