Simon Moore

I am Richard T Middleton, Assistant Coroner, for the Coroner Area of Dorset

On the 11 th November 2024, an investigation was commenced into the death of Simon Anthony Moore born on the 14 th of July 1983 who was aged 41 years at the time of his death. The investigation concluded at the end of the Inquest on the 25 th June 2025 The Medical Cause of Death was: 1a Polytrauma The conclusion of the Inquest recorded Suicide

Mr Moore was a train driver. During the latter half of 2024 he experienced three occasions when his driving required further investigation by his employer. The final occasion was on 3 rd November 2024. On 4 th November 2024 he stepped in front of a moving train and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The MATTERS OF CONCERN are as follows:

1. During the inquest evidence was heard that:

i. Mr Moore knew that the incident on 3 rd November 2024 would lead to him having to surrender his train driver licence and undergo a period of further assessment. ii. Immediately following the incident on 3 rd November 2024 Mr Moore spoke to a signaller employed by Network Rail using a GSM-R radio. During the conversation (which is recorded) Mr Moore expressed concern about losing his job and sounds understandably distressed. iii. The on-call Driver Manager employed by the Train Company is obligated to attend and in this scenario take the train driver licence from the driver. An initial account of the facts is taken as well as certain medical tests. iv. The on-call Driver Manager who attended following the incident involving Mr Moore met with him almost 2 hours after the incident. The on-call Driver Manager was unaware of the content of the conversation between Mr Moore and the signaller which occurred 2 hours earlier and soon after the incident. The contents of this conversation would have helped the on-call Driver Manager to assess the driver’s welfare. v. The Network Rail Signaller has no means through which to relay the details of any discussions with drivers (in this instance Mr Moore) to the train company Control who could then pass this information on to the attending Driver Manager.

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

th August 2025 Signed Richard T Middleton