### Tributes Paid to “Truly Special” Tomos Hurst After Inquest Into Tragic Death at Cardiff Rail Line
Friends, family and colleagues have paid heartfelt tributes to Tomos Arthur Hurst, a 33-year-old described as “truly special”, following an inquest into his tragic death on a Cardiff railway line in February 2023. The proceedings at Pontypridd Coroner’s Court revealed a story woven with grief, hope and unanswered questions about mental health support.
Tomos had died after being struck by a train near Whitchurch, Cardiff, just before 2pm on 18 February 2023. In a particularly cruel twist, Tomos’s sister, Rhiannon Vaughan, a train conductor, was working on the rail network at the time. She recounted the distressing circumstances upon learning that her brother had died in an incident while she was on duty nearby.
The inquest heard that Tomos sought help for his mental health in the days preceding his death. On 13 February, he attended Whitchurch Medical Centre, telling his GP of his low mood and expressing intentions of harming himself. In response, Dr Aileen Ko ensured Tomos was swiftly referred for an urgent assessment with the Gabalfa mental health team the following day. It was noted by Dr Ko that Tomos’s visit signalled he was reaching out for support, a vital but often missed step for many facing such struggles.
Despite the intervention, mental health professionals ultimately assessed Tomos as not presenting an imminent risk to himself. On 14 February, he was seen by experienced practitioners Hannah McKenzie and Benjamin Mills, who reported that Tomos displayed no immediate plans to end his life and agreed to a treatment plan focused on psychological care, rather than a change in his long-standing medication regime.
Tomos’s last contact with the mental health team was on 17 February, just a day before his death. Ms McKenzie recounted how he returned her missed call that day, stating he felt the same but reiterated he could contact the service if his situation worsened. The professionals involved explained they saw no clear indicators that Tomos was at immediate risk, highlighting the challenge of assessing suicide risk, especially when individuals are, on the surface, cooperative and seeking support.
The court also heard painful details from Rhiannon. She described how Tomos and their mother had spent the morning of the incident together, with Tomos taking the family dog for a walk—a moment that had initially seemed hopeful, given his reluctance the previous day. However, he failed to reappear, and his mother received a devastating text which the family recognised as a suicide note.
Meanwhile, Rhiannon was working nearby, her shift disrupted by reports of an “operational incident”. Upon realising someone had been struck by a train and after receiving a panicked message from her mother, Rhiannon arrived at the scene and was able to identify her brother. Tomos was transported to the University Hospital of Wales. Despite the efforts of medical staff, he died at around 5pm from a severe head injury.
The inquest explored concerns raised by the family about the care Tomos received, including unfinished risk assessment paperwork and the absence of any recent changes to his medication, which he had been prescribed for many years. However, consultant psychiatrist Dr Bann Khayyatt told the court there were no identifiable faults in the care or missed opportunities to intervene. Coroner Rachel Knight concluded that all professionals involved had acted properly and found the mental health assessment to be thorough. She emphasised that while there were some deficiencies in paperwork, the actual assessment itself was robust.
In a final tribute, Tomos’s family described him as a “beloved son, cherished brother, adored uncle and much loved by his extended family and friends”. His background included studying journalism in London, blogging, working as a holistic therapist, and experiences in Cardiff’s retail scene.
The tragedy has once again cast a spotlight on the difficulties inherent in assessing and treating mental health crises, and the limits faced even by experienced professionals. It also reminded all in attendance of the vital importance of timely and compassionate support for those experiencing mental health issues. The coroner offered her condolences to Tomos’s family, acknowledging the enduring pain they will bear.
This inquest underlines the crucial public function of open reporting in such cases, not only as a means to honour the lives of those lost, but also to learn lessons that can help prevent future tragedies. If you are struggling with your mental health or know someone who is, support is available. Helplines such as Samaritans (116 123) provide a safe space, day or night, for anyone in need.