Inquest to open on 'hero' academic who saved train-leap woman

An inquest will be held today into the death of a retired academic killed as he saved the life of a woman who had leapt onto a railway line.

David Ashworth, 74, died after jumping onto tracks near Chartham railway station in Kent after the 38-year-old woman reportedly jumped from a bridge.

She was taken to hospital in a serious condition but survived - but Mr Ashworth suffered fatal injuries after being hit by the Ramsgate to Charing Cross service just before 11am last June 16.

Relatives of Mr Ashworth said they were "very proud" of his life-saving actions, while one witness described him as a "hero" whose death could not have been averted by the train driver.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the incident was not being treated as suspicious. The inquest will be held at Margate Magistrates' Court from 10am.