Rapist 'sprinted' at train

An escaped prisoner killed himself by running in front of a train travelling at 90mph, an inquest has heard.

Convicted rapist Gary Carter died from multiple injuries and had to be identified by his fingerprints after he was hit by the high speed train.

On Thursday an inquest jury in Bristol returned a verdict of suicide.

Carter, 23, died on 3 June this year after breaking out of Leyhill Open Prison, in South Gloucestershire, where he was serving a life sentence.

Train driver Stephen Blagg told the inquest he saw a man run "straight into the path of the train" at Rangeworthy, four miles from the prison.

The man was aware of it (the train) and sprinted in the direction of the train Stephen Blagg, train driver

He said the train's lights were on and he made an emergency stop when he saw the man.

"The man was aware of it (the train) and sprinted in the direction of the train," he said.

The inquest heard how a fellow inmate had seen Carter walking towards the prison boundary on the day of his death.

His disappearance was not discovered until after his suicide.

He died on his mother's birthday and a note found in his cell drawer read "Happy Birthday, Mam. Sorry", the hearing was told.

He had also seen a psychologist on that day and told her he was "positive", "happy to be at Leyhill" and was prepared to undertake further work to help towards his release, the inquest heard.

Carter, originally from Newcastle upon Tyne, had been transferred to the open prison due to "exemplary behaviour".

He was convicted at Preston Crown Court in February 1997 of rape and two counts of grievous bodily harm with intent.