An inquest has heard how a mother made a video call to her partner moments before she was struck and killed by a freight train in Stockport. Jill Parton, 46, died from extensive traumatic injuries after being hit near Heaton Chapel station in the early hours of June 3.
The inquest at South Manchester Coroner's Court in Stockport was told that British Transport Police received a call from Network Rail at 3.59am reporting that a train had struck someone close to Heaton Chapel station. A female was found with injuries inconsistent with life. Police later received a call from Ms Parton's partner, who said she had FaceTimed him while on the railway tracks.
The court heard that Ms Parton, formerly known as Jill Canovan, had been involved with mental health services. She was well known as the landlady of The Crown pub near Stockport Viaduct.
Her daughter, Amber, 25, said she was in complete shock. She said: “I just felt numb. I still don't feel like it's real. It's just been me and my mum every day. I just feel like she's going to walk through the door, like she's not really gone. Especially the way it happened she promised she would never leave me.”
Amber described her mother as a “lovely woman who would do anything for anyone” and a keen animal lover who had housed more than 50 homeless people over her lifetime. She added: “I'd rather go out with my mum than my friends. Anyone I'd speak to would say it wasn't a normal mother-daughter relationship.”
A friend of Ms Parton, Maxine Campbell, has launched a petition calling for improved security at small railway stations during nighttime hours. She said: “When she first passed away, I was devastated, but then I would think of her laughing and being silly. I'd start laughing and then get mad at myself because I was trying to grieve. She was so kind and generous—everyone considered her their best friend.” The inquest is due to resume on November 11.
