Inquest into Graham Thorpe's Death Opens and Adjourns

Former England cricketer Graham Thorpe tragically died after being struck by a train at a railway station in Surrey, as revealed during the opening of an inquest into his death. Coroner Simon Wickens reported that Thorpe, 55, succumbed to "traumatic injuries" from the incident, which occurred around 8:30 am on August 4. Wickens acknowledged Thorpe's reputation for mental strength on the field but emphasized the serious nature of mental illness, noting that Thorpe had been unwell and believed his family would be better off without him. Thorpe, celebrated as one of the finest batters of his generation, played 100 Test matches for England, amassing 6,744 runs and 16 centuries. Following the announcement of his death by the England and Wales Cricket Board on August 5, tributes poured in from the cricket community, with current and former players expressing their sorrow and admiration for Thorpe's character and contributions to the sport. In a heartfelt interview, Thorpe's wife, Amanda, disclosed that he had been battling depression and anxiety in recent years. Their daughter, Kitty, expressed the family's commitment to discussing his death openly, stating, "There is nothing to hide and it is not a stigma." The family is contemplating establishing a foundation in Thorpe's name to honor his legacy and raise awareness about mental health issues. Charities have commended the Thorpe family for their transparency, with the Samaritans' chief executive highlighting the importance of open conversations about suicide to combat stigma and encourage those in need to seek help.