AN ARTIST from Poole died after walking onto a railway line and being struck by a train, an inquest has heard.

Lisa Barnes, 45, was witnessed walking “calmly” onto the train track towards Hamworthy railway station before her death on Friday, July 28.

Dorset coroner Rachael Griffin was told that Miss Barnes had sent a text to her partner prior to her death, informing him that she was concerned for her welfare.

She sent the message while returning from an art group in Poole Park.

British Transport Police (BTP) were called to the railway line at around 12.40pm, but Miss Barnes was pronounced dead at the scene.

An officer confirmed her identity.

Coroner’s officer Andy Lord said: “The brief circumstances of Miss Barnes’ death are that she was witnessed calmly walking onto the train track towards Hamworthy railway station where she was struck by an oncoming train.”

She had made previous suicide attempts, the inquest heard.

A post-mortem was carried out on August 3 by Dr Muzaffer who confirmed the cause of death was fatal injuries as a result of a train collision.

BTP have been making further enquiries, but have confirmed they are treating the incident as non-suspicious.

The inquest will be resumed on December 8.