A young man who was killed when hit by a train may have been copying a scene from the sci-fi film The Matrix, an inquest heard.

Martin Nutt, 29, of York Road, Southend, died from multiple injuries after being hit by a train near to Southend Central station.

Mr Nutt, a quantity surveyor who had a borderline personality disorder and suffered delusions and mood swings, had also developed an obsession with a young girl who did not reciprocate his feelings, the hearing was told.

Earlier on the night of his death, on July 6 last year, Mr Nutt had been to the cinema to see The Matrix.

In the science fiction thriller starring Keanu Reeves, computers create a false world in which everyone lives and only by breaking through their imagination can they break into the real world.

One scene depicts Reeves standing with his arm aloft in front of a speeding train, which then passes through his body.

Southend coroner Dr Peter Dean said that it was possible that Mr Nutt could have been inspired to stand in front of the train by a scene in the science fiction film.

He said: "We have heard about Martin's delusions and mood swings and the way this film gripped him.

"Earlier in the evening he was in the cinema where he was exposed to the idea of people going through a train and passing out the other side relatively unscathed.

"You may feel there is the possibility that Martin may have become so involved with the film that he may have been experimenting."

He added: "None of us know exactly what thought was going through his head at this particular time."

Evidence from psychiatric nurse Jane Stewart said that Mr Nutt could range from being "delightful" to "aggravating".

Dr Dean said: "We have heard of someone who was very caring for other people.

"He would be almost more concerned for other people than he was for his own welfare.

"We have heard of the feelings he had for this young girl of 16 or 17 he had known socially. They had been friends and he felt really that she was his life."

Dr Dean referred to evidence given by Mr Nutt's sister that he had told her a previous overdose he had taken was not an attempt to take his own life.

The inquest jury returned an open verdict by a majority.

Dr Dean described Mr Nutt as a "bright young man who suffered from this very debilitating psychological illness".

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