A “HAPPY, bubbly and very sensitive” teenager died after plunging in front of a train at a Hampshire railway station.
Gemma Grimes was on her way to work at Debenhams when she took her own life, an inquest heard.
The 19-year-old from Eastleigh died after being struck by a train at Winchester railway station.
Her mum Lyn told Winchester Coroner’s Court she had taken her to the railway station in Eastleigh on June 25 to travel to Winchester to work.
“It was a really nice morning, we sat outside, we were talking, she laughed. I was having a joke with her about some films. It was absolutely fine. She looked calm and she smiled and said ‘bye mummy’,” she added.
The court heard how Gemma had no history of mental health issues but in the weeks before her death had confided to boyfriend Jerome Coquerelle she wanted to end her life.
He said: “As far as I know I was the only person she spoke to about it. The last time she went to the doctor I went with her and we mentioned she was struggling sometimes.”
The court heard how Gemma phoned Jerome few minutes before her death.
“I could tell there was something wrong because she was not saying anything. I said I’d pick her up from work. I heard her breath and the phone dropped down,” he said. “I expected the worse, I ran to the train station to see if any train was delayed. I saw the crowd. The police came up to me and I just broke down.”
Gemma, who wanted to become a teacher, had studied make up artistry at Eastleigh College. She had also studied at Upper Shirley High in Southampton and Barton Peveril College.
Senior Coroner Grahame Short said: “I do strongly suspect that she was suffering from an undiagnosed condition.
"She needed professional help but unfortunately she didn’t tell the doctor nor her mother so she was never referred.
"Mr Coquerelle was in a very difficult position. He has no training on how to cope with people like Gemma. She died due to extensive injuries.”
He said Gemma died as a result of suicide.
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