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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
National
Abigail O'Leary

Autistic teenager, 17, hit by train after filming goodbye video for family

An autistic 17-year-old was hit by a train after filming a goodbye video for his family, an inquest heard.

Joel Langford died instantly when a train hit him at a level crossing near Marlow Rugby Club on March 18.

The "extremely intelligent" teenager's mum told the inquest her son had been called "weird, loser and r****d" and had faced rejection in other areas of his life.

She revealed how Joel had recently been let-go after a trial shift at Costa Coffee and had been asked to leave a local explorers group - where most of his interaction came from.

The teenager, from Marlow, recorded a heartbreaking video for his family in which he told them goodbye.

His mum went on to describe how Joel had recently become obsessed with cleanliness and worried about his "uncertain future", reports the Star .

She said: "He had become obsessed about hygiene, unable to wear certain clothes if he felt they would get dirty.

(Alamy Stock Photo)

“Ironically, on the day of his death we thought that problem was over as he wore a jumper he had refused to wear before.

“However, we later found out that he had taken it off and left it on a nearby gate before the accident."

Train driver Richard Woodley told the inquest how he had slammed on the emergency brake after spotting Joel on the tracks.

He said he had "looked away" as the train hit the teenager.

Mr Woodley said: "As the crossing came into sight I saw a male run out from the left hand side from the trees.

"I thought he was just running across the crossing as many people do, but I put on the emergency brake which cannot be undone until the train has completely stopped.

"The boy, who was skinny and wearing a light blue t-shirt, looked up at me and waved, indicating to me to keep coming forward."

Coroner Crispin Butler, recording a conclusion of suicide, said: "The medical cause of death was a single trauma injury by train collision.

"Joel has explained that it was what he wanted to do and all the evidence corroborates that. He died instantly and there was never any lifesaving opportunity.

“There is a significant amount of evidence that confirms Joel's intentions."

On Monday, 14-year-old Sam Connor died in a "deliberate act" after he was hit by a train at Chertsey station, Surrey.

Tragic Sam Connor, 14, who was described by pals as “kind and caring”, died on the tracks at Chertsey, Surrey, on Monday.

He reportedly handed his schoolbag and a phone to fellow students before climbing onto the tracks.

A note left by the tragic teen also contained two names, it is believed.

Reports have claimed the Year Nine pupil was being bullied, but Catholic secondary Salesian School in Chertsey, Surrey, have said there is no record of him being picked on.

The Samaritans is available 24/7 if you need to talk. You can contact them for free by calling 116 123, email   jo@samaritans.org   or head to the   website   to find your nearest branch. You matter.

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