A fingerprint on the side of a chocolate tin helped identity a teacher who led in front of a high-speed train at Purley Oaks station, an inquest has heard.

Oliver Winrow, 27, was so badly injured it was impossible to establish who he was, Croydon Coroner's Court was told yesterday (Tuesday).

However, prints found on the tin at his home in Bisenden Road in Addiscombe confirmed details found on papers in his wallet.

Mr Winrow was caught on CCTV arriving at the station on the evening of May 20. He was seen standing on the edge of platform two, crouching and leaning over the edge.

The last images of Mr Winrow showed him lying on his stomach, with his shoulders and head over the edge of the platform as a 75mph train approached. The next image showed the train passing the spot where he had been.

Driver Stephen Bull, at the controls of the 18.06 Watford Junction to Brighton service, said: ""As I came level with the London end of the platform he lay down. I sounded my horn and applied the emergency brakes, coming to a stop 400 yards south of the station."

A doctor's report revealed Mr Winrow, who was studying for a doctorate in comparative religion, suffered bouts of depression in the past. He was also described as withdrawn and uncommunicative.

Recording a suicide verdict, coroner Dr Roy Palmer said he was satisfied Mr Winrow had intended to kill himself.