A TEENAGER who took his own life by stepping in front of a train used the same first eight words in his suicide note as rock star Kurt Cobain.

Joseph Barber died instantly when he was hit by the train just after midnight on Tuesday February 23 near Hinton Admiral in the New Forest.

Winchester Coroner's Court heard how the talented computer programmer was a big fan of Nirvana, the band fronted by Cobain, who took his own life in 1994.

The inquest heard how Joseph, 17, used cannabis and so-called legal highs, and was receiving psychiatric treatment.

His psychiatrist, Dr Adrian Marsden, of Pebble Lodge treatment centre, said the 17-year-old was depressed and had suicidal thoughts.

The court was told by the mother of Joseph's girlfriend that on Sunday February 20 her daughter said she wanted to take a break from her relationship because she thought Joe's cannabis use was becoming a problem.

Dr Marsden confirmed this may have been a trigger for Joseph's actions.

His father, Daniel Barber, said he grew increasingly concerned about his son following a trip to their French chalet last year.

In an email sent to Dr Marsden, he said: "We have had a very difficult weekend with Joe.

"Everything was fine then it was quite scary how quickly his mood changed.

"We really just cannot cope anymore. This may end up splitting the family.

"I strongly believe there is something more fundamentally wrong with Joe and I cannot put my finger on it."

Mr Barber also said that he and Joseph were going away on a “lad's skiing trip” with one of his friends in February, something which Joseph was excited about.

Pathologist Dr Vipul Foria said that Joseph would have died instantly.

Assistant coroner Simon Burge recorded a conclusion of death by suicide.

He said Joseph's girlfriend should "not feel responsible for what happened".

He said: "For her to have wanted to cool things off with Joe for a while I consider fair and understandable.

"Despite what Joe may have thought, the world is not a better place without him.

"I can think of no-one who is personally responsible for Joe's death. This was his decision and his alone."

Joseph, from Christchurch, had been a pupil at Ringwood School before beginning sixth form at Brockenhurst College.

Ringwood’s head teacher Christina Edwards said she was “desperately sad” to hear of Joseph’s death.

“He was a young man who had real character,” she said.

“He was creative and knew his own mind.”

She said Joseph had worked within a small group of boys to put forward a recommendation changing the design of the school’s ties.

“This was adopted, and every pupil in the school now wears that new design,” Ms Edwards said.

“He wanted to make a change, and he did. He will be greatly missed.”

You can call Samaritans free of charge any time from any phone on 116 123.