Golf ball theory raised at inquest

David Dees, of Eastergate, Little Common, weaved through the closed half-barriers at Pevensey Sluice level crossing and was hit by the 19.18 Eastbourne to Hastings service on June 5.

On Wednesday, an inquest heard the 52-year-old may have become dazed after being struck on the head by a stray ball from the nearby Cooden Beach Golf Course.

Train driver Barry Andrews, of Percival Road, Eastbourne, said: "He was very unsteady on his push-bike, he seemed completely disorientated.

"He didn't go straight over the crossing, he ambled around. He was going very slowly. If he had been riding normally, he would have had plenty of time to get out of the way."

Mr Andrews sounded the horn and applied emergency brakes, but said the train had no chance of stopping in time at that distance.

Police investigators found the level crossing barriers, warning lights and alarm were all working properly. A toxicology report later revealed that Mr Dees, who ran a successful car dealership in Croydon, was twice over the drink-drive limit and had hay fever medication in his system.

Taken together, these could produce some disorientation, the inquest heard.

Mr Dees, a father of two, had been in the middle of divorce proceedings but was "perfectly happy".

His aunt, Sheila Stedman, of Fairway Close, Eastbourne, had eaten lunch with Mr Dees at his home on the day of his death.

"We were talking about lots of future plans," she said. "There had been a solicitors' meeting a few days beforehand about his divorce, but he was looking forward to his future life.

"He was absolutely normal. We had a laugh and a good lunch together and he was perfectly happy."

Mystified as to why Mr Dees would ride into the path of a train, a friend wrote to coroner Alan Craze to suggest the golf ball theory.

But the general manager at Cooden Beach Golf Club said that no stray balls had been reported to him by players at the 12th hole that day.

Mr Craze said: "I believe the most significant factor in this case is the possible sedative effect caused by the drink and the drugs."

He recorded a verdict of accidental death.