19/09/2007

Rail Death Girl's Mother 'Found Dead At Same Spot'

The mother of a teenage girl who died after being hit by a train in Essex last month has been found dead at the same spot, according to reports.

It is reported that the body of Joanne Coombs, 40, was found near Manningtree station in Essex on Tuesday night.

In August, her 17-year-old daughter Natasha's body was found near the railway, after she disappeared following a night out with friends in Ipswich on July 27. Police said that they believed that Natasha might have been upset about a recent split from her boyfriend on the night that she disappeared. Her body was found in undergrowth a mile down the line from Manningtree station.

Mrs Coombs had given a press conference on August 2 with her husband Gary, 48, to appeal for help in finding her daughter.

She had broken down in front of the cameras, describing life as "unbearable" without her only daughter.

Mrs Coombs said that the family had been due to go on holiday to Canada on August 4 and that Natasha had been looking forward to the trip, as well as looking forward to turning 18 later in the year.

Police have only confirmed that there has been a death in the same area that Natasha's body was found and have not confirmed the identity.

British Transport Police said that the body was discovered after the driver of of the 19:00 Liverpool Street to Norwich train reported a possible track fault on Tuesday night. The line was checked by the driver of the following freight train who then found the body on the line.

A BTP spokesperson said: "It is believed that the woman was struck and killed by the train reporting the track fault. This incident is not being treated as suspicious.

"The deceased has not yet been formally identified and an investigation is under way."

(KMcA/SP)

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