Cricketer hit by train 'on drugs'

A county cricketer was struck by a train as he attempted to flee police after driving while on a cocktail of drink and drugs, an inquest has heard.

Tom Maynard, who had been widely tipped as a future England international, was found dead near Wimbledon Park station on the London Underground District line shortly after 5am on Monday June 18 last year.

The 23-year-old Surrey batsman suffered multiple injuries caused by the impact of the train and from touching a live electric railway line, Westminster Coroner's Court heard.

He was stopped by police less than an hour before his death when his black Mercedes was seen driving erratically but the sports star fled the vehicle.

A post-mortem examination showed he was nearly four times the legal limit to drive and had also taken cocaine and ecstasy in the form of MDMA after a night out with two team-mates.

Tests on hair samples indicted Mr Maynard may have been a daily user of drugs in the three and half months before his death, the inquest heard.

Forensic pathologist Dr Simon Poole told the inquest jury that Mr Maynard suffered burns to his feet, ankles and shin which were consistent with injuries suffered by skin touching live railway tracks. It was not possible to say whether electrocution or the impact with the train caused Mr Maynard's death, he added.

Maynard, who came through the ranks at Glamorgan, earned himself a place on the England Lions tour to Bangladesh and Sri Lanka at the start of last year. The Cardiff-born cricketer was the son of former England and Glamorgan batsman Matthew Maynard.

The jury returned a verdict of accidental death. Coroner Dr Fiona Wilcox described Mr Maynard's death as "absolutely tragic" and called for analysis of hair samples to be considered for future drugs testing by Surrey County Cricket Club, and other sports clubs, to help identify drug users.

"I pass my sympathies to Mr Maynard's family for the loss they have suffered," she added.