A MAN who was killed when he was struck by a mainline train travelling at more than 100mph was probably drunk at the time, a coroner has heard.

Scott McAdam died instantly when he was hit by the 10.35am service from Newcastle to Reading on the Eastcoast mainline on November 27 last year.

Mr McAdam was crouched in the middle of the track about 400 yards away from the Wheatsheaf Inn in Pelaw Grange near Chester-le-Street when he was struck by the train travelling at 111mph, County Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle heard.

PC Andrew Brown from the British transport Police said it is believed the 25-year-old had been crossing the track to get to a popular fishing lake nearby.

His fishing rods and bags were found at the top of the embankment next to the spot where he died.

Train driver Gary Holtam said he only saw Mr McAdam for two seconds before the train hit him.

Mr Holtam said Mr McAdam, of Saddleback in Washington, turned to look at the train and made to get off the track before being struck.

Earlier that morning Mr McAdam had challenged the then Wheatsheaf manager Darren Bailes to a fight in the car park, the coroner heard.

Mr Bailes said Mr McAdam was anxious and aggressive and looked as though he had been drinking.

CCTV footage showed Mr McAdam swigging from a bottle suspected to contain vodka and falling asleep in the car park for around half an hour.

The inquest heard that it was impossible to determine the level of alcohol in Mr McAdam’s system due to the damage caused to his body.

County Durham coroner Andrew Tweddle concluded that Mr McAdam’s death was accidental saying there was no evidence he intended to be killed by the train.

Mr McAdam had told his grandmother he would see her for tea after his fishing trip, the inquest heard.