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A mother of four threw herself under a train just hours after she wished her boyfriend a happy 50th birthday.

Charlotte Cash, 35, kissed Andrew Tollitt goodbye as he headed out for work after opening up his birthday cards.

But later that afternoon, Miss Cash left a heart-rending suicide note before heading to a railway station near her home in Wigan, Greater Manchester.

As the London-bound train pulled into the platform she emerged suddenly from a crowd of commuters, which included Olympic athlete Jenny Meadows, and jumped into it's path - giving the driver no chance to avoiding her.

The note, which was addressed to Mr Tollitt, read: "I'm sorry for this but I have to go. Been feeling this for weeks. I love you so much and the kids. Look after them. Love you forever. I feel like scum. Been put down so much."

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd) (Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

The Bolton hearing was told Miss Cash had been in a 13-year relationship with divorcee Mr Tollitt but she harboured insecurities about his ex-wife and had attempted suicide on previous occasions.

Mr Tollitt said: "We had an on and off relationship but I still considered her to be my partner at the time.

"We had been in a relationship for 13 years and lived together on and off for 10 years.

"I was aware of her mental health issues and that she was taking sleeping tablets and in the year or so coming up to her death she appeared to become more ill.

"She had four children who she had a good relationship with but she kept quite a lot from me.

"She would say that she was popping out to see a friend and then not return home until the early hours.

"She did keep photos of us together and things and she was caring. But we had issues with her feeling insecure about my ex wife.

"It got quite bad - at one point I wasn't allowed to watch TV programmes with women in them."

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

He said Miss Cash had previously taken an overdose and also tried to hang herself at home while he was at work.

Recalling the day of the tragedy last February 17, Mr Tollitt added: "It was my birthday and I got up and opened my birthday cards.

"I went back upstairs to give her a kiss and left around 6.30am. I got a number of texts from her expressing her feelings but not any intent.

"I got home around 6.45pm and tried to call and contact her but at 8pm British transport police arrived and informed me that she had been hit by a train.

"She left a note addressed to me and it was suggestive of what she intended to do."

(Image: Cavendish Press (Manchester) Ltd)

Martin Kemp, who witnessed the tragedy, said: "A number of people came out of the waiting room and among them was a white female wearing sky blue jeans and a camel top.

"It looked to me that she was upset but I didn't pay any further attention to her. I moved towards the platform and there was a group of people also on the platform.

"I couldn't see the woman. The train was approaching the platform when the woman appeared from the group and jumped towards the track and placed herself over the rails.

"I just saw her disappear with a thud."

Train driver John Baker said: "We were approaching Wigan North West Train station and I began to reduce the speed to 30mph.

"As I approached platform 4, I noted that there were a number of people standing waiting at the platform.

"They were all well back and away from the edge but I saw a girl emerging from the group. She was crouching down and moving briskly with purpose and she was on her own.

"She jumped without hesitation and at that point I lost sight of her under the front of the train. I did apply the emergency brakes."

The hearing was told Miss Cash had consulted with mental healthcare professionals in the run up to her death.

But nurse Lucy Ibbotson said: "She masked her emotions well. They said that she didn't open up and was difficult to get information from.

"She made reference to her uncle dying whom she was close to as being a factor.

"When she was found by her mum after her suicide attempt she said that her uncle was looking over her and looking out for her and that's why she survived.

"She was discharged from the service at her request because she was feeling much lighter in mood."

Her GP Dr Majid Hussain said Miss Cash had been diagnosed with depression.

Recording a conclusion of suicide Coroner John Pollard said: "She was obviously desperately upset and confused.

"I would like to give my condolences to the family and also to the train driver. We sometimes forget the devastating effect these incidents have on them."

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.