Depressed Mother Walks Into a Speeding Train Leaving Her Baby Beside the Track

 

35-year-old Yolanda Dolton, walked out on to the track near Stone station, Staffordshire to her death.

 

Mrs Dalton, a paediatric physiotherapist, had become depressed during her pregnancy after her baby was found with an abnormality on his brain. The woman, who also had a three-year-old daughter, decided not to take medication until after her son's birth in case it affected his development.

The baby was born healthy in April last year, but Mrs Dolton later started suffering from hallucinations and was sectioned under the Mental Health Act for 28 days.

She was referred to South Staffordshire and Shropshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust in February where she was diagnosed with psychotic depression.

The mother-of-two remained a voluntary patient at a postnatal mental health unit at St George's Hospital in Stafford until her death.

Hours before she died, Mrs Dolton was seen by staff where she was described as being 'bright' and 'affectionate' towards her baby.
Paul Simmonds, coroner's liaison officer for the British Transport Police, said CCTV shows Mrs Dolton placing the pushchair away from the track before making a 'deliberate leap in front of the train.'

Mrs Dolton left a number of detailed letters for family and friends thanking them for their support. In one, written to her husband Arron, 38, she said: 'I just don't feel I can be the mum that you deserve.'

Recording a verdict of suicide, South Staffordshire Coroner Andrew Haigh said: 'Her notes to family and friends show a degree of a feeling of inadequacy and not being able to cope.

'She seems to feel her family would be better off without her.'