Rail victim 'enjoyed' crash video

http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/england/berkshire/7038640.stm

Version 0 of 1.

A man who was killed when a high-speed train hit his car in 2004 "enjoyed" watching a video of a 2001 rail disaster, a jury inquest has heard.

The Selby rail video told the story of how a Land Rover rolled onto the tracks derailing a high speed train.

A workmate told the inquest at Slough that Bryan Drysdale, 48, talked about the programme two weeks before he died.

Mr Drysdale and six others were killed in the train crash at a level crossing near Ufton Nervet in Berkshire.

He made reference to watching that documentary. He said he had really enjoyed it Sean Paterson

"In hindsight about two weeks before there was a documentary on the TV about the guy who fell asleep in the Land Rover and rolled down the bank," said Sean Paterson who worked with Mr Drysdale.

"He made reference to watching that documentary. He said he had really enjoyed it."

Mr Paterson also said that Mr Drysdale had complained that his manager Laurent Beaunier "picked on him".

The inquest heard that Mr Drysdale filed a complaint with Thames Valley Police four days before the train crash, claiming that Mr Beaunier had been around his house "making threats towards him".

But Mr Beaunier told the court this came as a shock to him because he did not know where Mr Drysdale lived.

"He didn't give me any signs he was troubled by me," he said.

Toxicology tests

The inquest was also told that Mr Drysdale was a heavy drinker who took cannabis and ecstasy.

However toxicology tests found no presence of drink or drugs in his body.

Forensic pathologist Dr Nathaniel Carey told the inquest jury that Mr Drysdale died from multiple injuries sustained when the high-speed First Great Western London Paddington to Plymouth service collided with his Mazda car.

He said there was no natural disease or illness present that could have contributed.

The inquest continues.