A failed asylum seeker with a mountain of debt died after throwing himself in front of a moving train. Sivanathan Gowthaman plunged to his death as the 12.54pm South West Trains service sped through Bedhampton railway station at 40mph. The train – carrying about 340 passengers – was passing through on its journey from Portsmouth Harbour to London when the 29-year-old stepped off the platform into its path on May 13 last year.

A failed asylum seeker with a mountain of debt died after throwing himself in front of a moving train. Sivanathan Gowthaman plunged to his death as the 12.54pm South West Trains service sped through Bedhampton railway station at 40mph.

The train – carrying about 340 passengers – was passing through on its journey from Portsmouth Harbour to London when the 29-year-old stepped off the platform into its path on May 13 last year.

An inquest heard that on the night before he died Mr Gowthaman left his home telling landlords he was going to live with his brother in London.

About 5pm a man arrived at the house, loaded up his personal belongings and the pair left. Police have not been able to identify or trace the other man.

Less than 24 hours later, Mr Gowthaman was dead.

The Sri Lankan was classed as a failed asylum seeker and he lost his job and his work permit ran out.

He was also battling a mountain of debt running into thousands of pounds and had recently received demands from three separate debt collection agencies for

payments.

The exact figure was not revealed. However most of his debt is believed to stem from a house he bought in Sri Lanka.

British Transport Police sergeant Andrew Pavitt told the inquest: 'The train driver reported that a lone male was seen on the platform smoking a cigarette.

'He was leaning against the fence on the side of the platform.

'As the train approached, the man turned to face it. He threw his cigarette away and stepped into the path of the train.

'The driver was convinced that he was deliberately stepping in front of the train. It wasn't due to stop at that station. There was no reason to step off the platform.'

A post-mortem examination revealed Mr Gowthaman, of Cherry Tree Lane, Crawley, died from multiple injuries.

Recording a verdict that he took his own life, Portsmouth Coroner David Horsley said: 'This gentleman would have died instantly.'