Family in dark after tragic Congleton railway death of David Baddiley
THE family of a 60-year-old man who was killed when he was hit by a train are still unaware he is dead – a month after the tragedy.
David Baddiley, from Sheldon Avenue, in Congleton, died at Congleton Railway Station in December.
But despite speaking to the Mr Baddiley's neighbours, police have been unable to contact his relatives.
He is believed to have jumped in front of the train as it passed through the station at around 2pm, on Wednesday December 5.
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The train involved was the 13.27 from Manchester Piccadilly to Bournemouth, and Mr Baddiley, pictured below, was pronounced dead at the scene.
There are no suspicious circumstances surrounding the death, but officers are anxious to inform the victim's family.
PC Mel Dodd, of British Transport Police (BTP), said: "David was known in the local area, but not well enough for his neighbours to be able to identify his next of kin.
"We want to be able to deliver the news of his death to the right people, enabling them to say goodbye in the right way."
PC Dodd said BTP worked closely with Cheshire Police during the investigation.
She added: "David lived at Sheldon Avenue, Congleton, and to the best of our knowledge had lived in the area for about 20 years."
Neighbour Linda Jackson, of Sheldon Avenue, said: "I was really shocked to hear about the incident, it's a very tragic thing to happen.
"I didn't know David personally, just to say hello to but he was well known around here. I think he had lived here for a long time.
"He mostly kept to himself but he was always out and about. I never really saw him with anyone. He didn't live with another person as far as I know."
Aaron Foster, bartender at The Railway, said Mr Baddiley had been visiting the pub more frequently in the weeks leading up to his death.
He said: "He drank in here quite regularly before he died.
"He would come in nearly every day to order his pint of Stella, and then he would just sit quietly.
"We had no idea what was about to happen.
"He never spoke about friends or family and I never saw him with anyone."
Hightown Post Office worker John Benny said Mr Baddiley had regularly visited the shop to retrieve his pension.
He said: "We would chat whenever he came into the office, but he always came alone and never mentioned anyone.
"As far I know he lived alone in a flat on Sheldon Avenue.
"He would just go about his business. We were sad and surprised to hear about the accident. We had seen more of him out and about in the weeks before it happened."
British Transport Police officers are now in the process of compiling a report of the incident for the coroner.
Anyone who recognises Mr Baddiley or has any information about his family is asked to contact British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40.
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