Two men died by suicide at a train station where a Coroner has raised safety concerns, inquests have heard.

Ben Whiteman, 22, and Callum Clark, 20, both died at a train station in County Durham within the space of five weeks this summer.

The Northern Echo is not naming the station, in accordance with advice from charity Samaritans and the Coroner, who previously warned of safety concerns there.

Inquests into both of their deaths took place on Wednesday (November 13) and concluded they both intended to end their own lives.

Callum, a vehicle paint technician at Nissan, took his own life at a train station on July 5, Crook Coroners’ Court heard. He died of multiple injuries.

Senior Coroner for Durham and Darlington Jeremy Chipperfield said that there is "no doubt about the consequences" of the way Callum took his own life.

“For that reason, I am going to record the conclusion as suicide.”

In a statement, his mum Amy Burnside told the inquest her son seemed to be his normal self prior to his death.

She said: “As a family, we are completely, utterly shocked and surprised at his actions. He was a confident young man. He had no anxieties or mental health worries as far as we were aware. There were no signs that he had any worries.

“He was a shy young lad and had started to come out of his shell. He was cheeky, very respectful, sweet lad, and kind-hearted. He had plans for the future.”

The former St Leonards’ and New College Durham pupil from Ushaw Moor had plans to buy a house with girlfriend Rosie who “he would say he slid into her DMs”, his mum added. They were due to go on holiday a few weeks after he died and he was training for the Great North Run, the court heard.

Ben Whiteman from Sacriston died of severe blunt force injuries, his inquest was told.

CCTV footage, not shown in court but summarised, captured him at the station on the evening of June 3, and there was no evidence to suggest he had tripped or fallen.

British Transport Police investigator Leanne Callen said a note was found at home by his father.

Jeremy Chipperfield said: “Clearly, from what I have seen on the video his actions did cause the end of his life. The question 'why?' is something outside the scope of an inquest, although it must be something at the front of [his family’s] mind.”

“I am so sorry for your loss”, the Coroner told both families who attended court.

Tributes were paid to Ben after his death with the labourer described online as a “dear friend to many”. Friends and family said he was “one of a kind” and always had a “smile from ear to ear when he walked in the room”.

Tributes left to Ben Whiteman.Tributes left to Ben Whiteman. (Image: SARAH CALDECOTT) Mr Chipperfield previously filed a Prevention of Future Deaths report after the deaths of Ben, Callum, and a third man named Glenn Jacques in February, all at the same station.

In it he told Northern, the rail operator responsible for the station, to take action due to “a risk future deaths could occur”.

It came after Northern said in 2018 in response to another Prevention of Future Deaths report that the station “does not classify as a hot spot” – with the threshold for it to be categorised that way being three suicides or attempts within 12 months. “The incidents referred to herein took place within 12 months,” Mr Chipperfield said in the report in August.

He continued: "In my opinion urgent action should be taken to prevent future deaths and I believe you or your organisation has the power to take such action."

Recommended reading:

Get more from The Northern Echo with a digital subscription. Click here.

If you are in need of support you can contact the following:

- Samaritans is available, day or night, 365 days of the year. You can call them for free on 116 123, email them at jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org to find your nearest branch.

- If U Care Share on 0191 387 5661 or text IUCS to 85258

- SANE on 07984 967 708, Calm on 0800 58 58 58