A FATHER-OF-TWO who suffered from epilepsy could have slipped into a trance-like state moments before he was hit by a train, an inquest heard yesterday.

Richard Drittler, 44, was hit by a train travelling from Southport to Freshfield at 4.10pm on Saturday, December 11.

At an inquest at North Sefton Magistrates’ Court, train driver Craig Stokes described how he was driving towards Freshfield station when he saw a man walking towards the Fisherman’s Path crossing.

“As I got closer I could still see the male walking on to the crossing. He looked straight at me. Then I heard a bang when the emergency brakes set in.”

Mr Drittler, of Cemetery Road, Southport, died from multiple injuries.

Coroner Christopher Sumner recorded a verdict of misadventure.

He said: “There is one significant factor. Richard was struck by the right hand side of the train. He had not stopped in the path of the train. Despite his epilepsy easing off, his wife said he went into a trance every three weeks. He could have gone into one such trance at this unfortunate time.”