Published: 4 April, 2013
by ALICE HUTTON

AN IT consultant was killed when he accidentally fell under the wheels of a train at Finchley Road station, an inquest has heard.

Alan Terry, 37, was seen to stagger and “rock back and forth” on his feet as he stepped beyond the yellow safety line on the platform.

St Pancras Coroner’s Court was told yesterday (Wednesday) how he died on December 14 after falling off the platform and being hit by a Metropolitan line train. Mr Terry had been on his way home to his wife and one-year-old daughter.

Other passengers rushed to call the emergency services but he died soon afterwards.

Toxicologist Dr Susan Patterson found a blood alcohol of 300mg per 100ml of blood, a level which the court was told can be associated with “comas”.

Coroner Dr Richard Britten gave a verdict of accidental death caused by multiple injuries.

Mr Terry’s wife of four years, Linda, who attended the inquest along with several other family members, told the court that Mr Terry had been “full of life” and “looking forward to Christmas” with their daughter at their home in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire.

PC Stephen Tucker, coroner’s liaison officer for British Transport Police, told the court that CCTV footage that captured Mr Terry’s last moments showed him having “difficulty rising to his feet” from a bench.

“He does appear to be unsteady on his feet,” said PC Tucker.

“He is very close to the platform edge; more close than we would recommend. He steps over the yellow line and his toes are to the edge [of the platform]. It was not a deliberate act in my opinion.”

Dr Britten said: “He had a blood-alcohol at really quite a significant level. It can be associated with comas in some ­people. It was simply a very unfortunate and tragic accident.”

Paying tribute to her husband, Mrs Terry said: “He was extremely hard-working, doing a lot of overtime at the law firm where he worked. He worked most weekends to provide for his family. He took a lot of pride in it. He was just a very good man.”