The family of a man ruled to have taken his own life by an inquest say they disagree with the verdict as they believe he was unable to make a rational decision at the time.

John Collins 60, died when he walked on to the tracks at Kelvedon railway station and was hit by a train on October 29, 2018.

The inquest last week concluded that Mr Collins, who lived in Tiptree, had deliberately walked on to the tracks in a bid to end his own life.

However, Mr Collins’ family say they do not accept the conclusion reached by assistant coroner Tina Harrington and instead believe new medication he had been taking led to him making an “impulsive act” which was entirely out of character.

Mr Collins, who had a history of anxiety and panic attacks, had been prescribed the anti-depressant Citalopram and several doses of Zopiclone to help him sleep ten days before his death.

Wife Denise said: “John ended his life nine days after starting a course of powerful prescription medication.

“It seems this may have altered the balance of his mind sufficiently to render him incapable of making an informed decision about ending his life. This is not that different to being intoxicated. When the under the influence of any psychoactive substance we are not in full control of rational decisions and take actions we otherwise would not.

“In light of the above it seems odd, to say the least, that John’s death was deemed to be suicide by this assistant coroner.”

During the inquest at Essex Coroner’s Court, it was revealed Mr Collins had seemed in a better mood than normal on the morning of his death when he walked the dog with his wife.

His mood had also been described as stable by his GP.

Mrs Collins added: “John did not leave any kind of note, or communication, even though he had the means to do so. He even bought an all-day parking ticket at the station.

“His phone, internet and email history all revealed nothing at all out of the ordinary, right up until the day he died. He had never ever expressed any desire to end his life or said anything about not feeling able to cope.”

Mrs Collins and her family now plan to launch a campaign in memory of her husband to raise awareness about mental health issues.