A former Manchester City Women player told her sister she loved her just an hour before stepping in front of a train.

Zoe Tynan, 18, was chatting with sister Beth in her bedroom before telling her ‘everything is going to be ok’ and leaving.

Beth watched her sister, an England U19 international, walk down the street with a ‘bounce in her step’ but an hour later she was dead.

Zoe was struck by the London Midland Birmingham to Liverpool Lime Street service at West Allerton station on Tuesday, August 30.

An inquest into her death heard CCTV showed Zoe “calmly” climbing down from the platform before walking into the path of the oncoming train.

Liverpool coroner’s court heard her behaviour before leaving her home was out of character and she was anxious about the time.

Zoe also sent text messages to a friend suggesting she intended to take her own life.

The inquest was told friends who went to look for her noticed police vehicles at West Allerton railway station and feared the worst.

Coroner’s officer Eddie Nolan said: “At 3.30pm Zoe was at the family address with her sister Beth.

“Beth described her behaviour as out of character. She would continue asking Beth what the time was and she appeared hesitant to go into Beth’s bedroom.

“She came into the room and told her she loved her and that everything was going to be OK before leaving. Beth thought this was strange.

(Image: Liverpool Echo)

“She then watched Zoe walk down the road from her parents’ room. She appeared happy and was walking with a bounce in her step.”

Mr Nolan said a friend who received a worrying text message from Zoe at 4.09pm called her mobile phone three times but there was no response.

The friend then decided to go to her house to see if she was at home.

The driver of the London Midland train described seeing a man or woman in their 20s with blonde hair standing approximately 12ft from the platform edge as he approached West Allerton station.

He said in a statement: “I saw the person walk forward and jump down into the forefoot.

“I put the emergency brakes on and sounded the horn but there was nothing I could do.”

Zoe was pronounced dead at 4.38pm and a post mortem found she died from multiple injuries.

(Image: Getty)

The inquest heard the young footballer, who was under dual registration with Manchester City and Fylde Ladies FC, hoped to play football professionally.

She had applied for university courses in Liverpool and Manchester but her initial plan was to play the sport full time.

Anita Bhardwaj, area coroner for Liverpool and Wirral, recorded a verdict that Zoe took her own life.

She said: “Her actions, together with her general demeanour and texts sent that day clearly demonstrate Zoe intended to take her own life.”

Ms Bhardwaj told her father Carl: “It is clear from what I have heard that she was a very sociable young lady and by all accounts had many, many friends and was very well liked and was surrounded by a loving family.

“When you look at what she had achieved already at the young age of 18, she was a daughter that anybody would have been proud to have.”

In a statement released through British Transport Police, Zoe’s family described her as “vibrant, generous and fun-loving.”

They added: “Zoe was the most loving and caring daughter and sister anyone could wish for.”

Helplines and websites

Samaritans (116 123) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year. If you prefer to write down how you’re feeling, or if you’re worried about being overheard on the phone, you can email Samaritans at jo@samaritans.org.

Childline (0800 1111) runs a helpline for children and young people in the UK. Calls are free and the number won’t show up on your phone bill.

PAPYRUS (0800 068 41 41) is a voluntary organisation supporting teenagers and young adults who are feeling suicidal.

Depression Alliance is a charity for people with depression. It doesn’t have a helpline, but offers a wide range of useful resources and links to other relevant information. http://www.depressionalliance.org/

Students Against Depression is a website for students who are depressed, have a low mood or are having suicidal thoughts. Bullying UK is a website for both children and adults affected by bullying. http://studentsagainstdepression.org/

The Sanctuary (0300 003 7029) operates a 24-hour service available every day of the year, for people who are struggling to cope - experiencing depression, anxiety, panic attacks or in crisis.