Glenn Jacques and Ben Whiteman and Callum Clark

th Floor Northern House 9 Rougier Street York YO1 6HZ

I am Jeremy Chipperfield, senior coroner for the coroner area of Durham and Darlington

INVESTIGATION I have commenced investigations into the deaths of the following persons: Name: Glenn Jacques Collision and death: 14-Feb-24 Investigation  commencement: 15-Feb-24 Name: Ben Robert Whiteman Collision and death: 03-Jun-24 Investigation  commencement: 05-Jun-24 Name: Callum CLARK Collision and death: 05-Jul-24 Investigation  commencement: 08-Jul-24 The investigations have not yet concluded and the inquests have not yet been heard.

Each of the deceased persons died after being struck by a train travelling through [REDACTED] railway station, County Durham; in each case, the person is reported to have put himself into the path of the train by deliberate, intentional action.

During the course of the investigation my inquiries revealed matters giving rise to concern. In my opinion there is a risk that future deaths could occur unless action is taken. In the  circumstances it is my statutory duty to report to you. The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows  – [REDACTED] railway station appears to be, and to be known as, a convenient location for suicide. In response to a Prevention of Future Deaths Report dated 10-Dec-18, (which followed a death by suicide at [REDACTED] railway station), you stated that “the station does not classify as a hot spot under British Transport Police’s definition which is used nationally to focus the work of  cross industry working groups. Such locations are defined as having 3 or more  suicides/attempted suicides in 12 months”. The incidents referred to herein took place within 12 months.

In my opinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you or your organisation has the power to take such action.