William Heathorn, known as Eddie, a twenty-year-old Jewish apprentice attached to Mr Harry Hedges' Epsom stable, was killed instantly after diving in front of a train at Wimbledon Park Station on Friday, 5 May 1939.
Heathorn's name had been changed by deed poll. At an inquest in Wimbledon, held on 10 May, his father, Mr Ralph Leon Lazarus, said that there was no apparent reason why his son should wish to take his own life. He was strong, healthy and normal, and that, as far as he knew, he had no trouble or worry.
On the morning of his death, Eddie was at work on Epsom Downs and had arranged to meet Mr Hedges at the Grove Stables at 1.45 to go to Kempton Park. He did not keep this appointment.
Ernest Douglas Gray, a porter at Wimbledon Park Station, said that as the 7.09 train from Upminster arrived at the platform, the deceased (a good swimmer and diver) put his hands into a diving position and leapt in front of the train.
The Coroner recorded a verdict that William ended his life while the balance of his mind was disturbed.