Dead financier 'feared downturn'

A wealthy financier who threw himself in front of a train in Buckinghamshire was wracked with fear about the economic downturn, an inquest heard.

Kirk Stephenson, chief operating officer at private equity firm Olivant, faced "considerable financial loss" in the global banking crisis.

The 47-year-old, also known as Ross, was hit by a train travelling at 125mph through Taplow station in September.

A jury at Amersham Coroners Court recorded a verdict of suicide.

The inquest heard Mr Stephenson became "tense and very worried" and had raised the subject of killing himself during a dinner with his wife.

Three days later he leapt out from the station's platform in front of the express train, dying instantly.

Olivant, set up in 2006, came to prominence earlier this year as one of the potential bidders for the troubled mortgage lender Northern Rock.