A schizophrenic patient jumped in front of a train just days after being judge fit to be discharged from hospital, an inquest heard.

Vulnerable Nathan Oates appeared to have taken his own life at Dewsbury station as he jumped in front of the Manchester-bound Transpennine Express service.

Just days earlier he had been released from Dewsbury hospital after doctors decided he was not at risk of harming himself, despite threatening he would “take an overdose” and “harm others” when they told him he would be discharged.

Mother Joanne Oates, from Thornton Lodge, said following the hearing yesterday that her son had been “massively let down” and that the family were “desperate for answers”.

She said: “It was inevitible he would hurt himself. No one listened to him”.

Nathan Oates Family issued pic of Nathan aged 9 or 10. He died aged 31 after being hit by a train at Dewsbury Railway Station on April 21, 2015 after a long battle with mental illness.

Nathan had previously spent five years in various hospitals sectioned under the mental health act for paranoid schizophrenia.

Kirklees coroners’ court heard how Mr Oates had taken himself to hospital on several occasions in the months before his death in April this year after complaining of suicidal thoughts.

Mr Oates’ care co-ordinater James Kenny said his patient had “felt safe in hospital” and didn’t feel he would harm himself or others while in care.

Consultant psychiatrist Dr Farhat Uzair told the hearing that whilst he told doctors he didn’t wish to stay at Dewsbury hospital, where he was a voluntary patient, he had expressed in an outburst in a meeting that he would take his own life and harm others.

“He became abusive towards us when we told him he would be discharged. He seemed to calm down soon after.”

Coroner Mary Burke asked: “He was now saying he hadn’t taken his medication and reporting that he was hearing voices that he also had thoughts of harming others, not just himself, is that right?”

Dr Uzair replied: “Yes. He had said that.”

Police at Dewsbury Rail Station after Nathan Oates was hit by a train
Police at Dewsbury Rail Station after Nathan Oates was hit by a train

The coroner said: “Was that sufficient to have triggered escalation to acting under the mental health act?”

She replied: “No. Only if they are not willing to accept treatment.”

Mr Oates, of Clare Hill, was discharged from hospital in April this year, just over a week before the incident at Dewsbury Station.

Noel Devine, who led the investigation following Mr Oates’ death, told the court there had been a breakdown in communication when Mrs Oates was not contacted for her to agree for her son to be discharged.

He said lessons had been learned and efforts would be made in the future to contact “third parties” on such matters.

The inquest was adjourned to next Wednesday for conclusion.