Woman killed after being hit by freight train in Coundon

Emergency services were sent to the scene in the early hours of this morning



A woman was killed after being hit by a freight train on a level crossing in Coventry.

Police and paramedics were called to the scene in Coundon in the early hours of Wednesday.

Despite the ambulance service sending multiple resources, there was nothing they could do to save the woman, and was pronounced dead at the scene.

West Midlands Ambulance Service assessed the train driver for shock.

A spokesman said: “At 1.19am we received calls to a collision on Worsdell Close.

“We were called to reports of a person hit by a train.

“Unfortunately, when we arrived it was confirmed a female was already deceased at the scene.

“The freight train driver was assessed as he was in a lot of shock.”

One resident living nearby told the Telegraph she was unaware of the incident, but said it was “sad news” to hear that somebody had died.

British Transport Police are this morning working to identify the woman and inform her next of kin.

They have also confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious.

A spokesman from British Transport Police said: “BTP officers were called to Coundon Road level crossing in Coventry at around 1.15am to reports that a person had been struck by a train.

“We attended along with the ambulance service and sadly a person was found to have died at the scene.

“We are working to identify the person and locate their next of kin.

“The incident is not currently being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Joanna Misztal died after being struck by the train at the level crossing in Coundon

A woman was decapitated after being hit by a freight train as she lay on tracks in Coventry, an inquest has heard.

Joanna Misztal died after being struck by the train at the level crossing where Coundon Road and Barkers Butts Lane meet on Wednesday, August 16.

The 38-year-old cleaner, who lived in Sidbury Road, Radford, was pronounced dead at the scene.

An inquest in to her death was opened by Emma Whitting, assistant coroner for Coventry, at Coventry Council House, on Thursday afternoon.

She invited coroner’s officer Cheryl McClounan to take to the stand and outline the circumstances surrounding Miss Misztal’s death.

She said: “On August 16 she attended Coundon Road level crossing in Coventry and lay down in front of an coming freight train.

“The professor who carried out a post-mortem examination gave the case of death as traumatic decapitation and multiple injuries.

“Miss Misztal was identified by the British Transport Police through finger print comparison.”

The officer added that the coroner’s office are still awaiting toxicology results.

Emma Whitting said that the inquest would be adjourned while they awaited those results and evidence from Miss Misztal’s next of kin and the driver of the train.

Despite no member of Miss Misztal’s family being at the hearing, the assistant coroner also offered her condolences to them for their loss.

The inquest was adjourned until December 14.

There's a lot more to this than we've been told so far!

There's a lot more to this than we've been told so far!

I wholeheartedly agree with you. But whether we will hear it or not depends on many things...