AN inquest was opened and adjourned this week into the death of a man hit by a train near Steeton and Silsden Railway Station.

Michael John Clarke, 28, of Ruskin Avenue, Skipton, died following the accident last Thursday night at an area of track known as Eastburn Crossing on the Airedale Line.

A train from Leeds was on its way to Skipton station when it hit Mr Clarke shortly before 8.30pm.

No-one else was injured in the accident, but the driver of the train was taken to nearby Airedale Hospital suffering from shock.

Coroner's officer Leslie Scaife confirmed that an inquest into the death of Mr Clarke, a single, unemployed mechanic, was adjourned at Bradford Coroner's Court on Tuesday.

Sgt Andy Selby, from the British Transport Police, told the Herald: 'There is really no way you can stop people from getting onto the railway lines if they want to.

'There is a fence up at that section of the track, but you can still get access to the line.'

Sgt Selby added that investigations were continuing into the circumstances surrounding the accident.

Dave Hughes, a spokesman for train operator Northern Spirit, told the Herald this week: 'It was a tragedy for the person involved in the incident first and foremost, but it was also traumatic for the driver.

'He is still off work and he is receiving counselling and he will only return to work when he is sufficiently recovered.'

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