TRAGIC Wirral teenager Rachelle Owen told her family she was going out for a walk, and half-an-hour later took her own life on the railway line at Hoylake.

The 16-year-old from West Kirby died on Friday night after stepping in front of a train at the crossing on Drummond Road.

Rachelle, a student at Hilbre High School Humanities College, was the daughter of Kay Diamond, allegedly murdered two months ago in a violent attack.

An inquest into her death, held today at the Gerard Majella Courthouse in Liverpool, heard Rachelle had left her home at around 9pm on Friday after telling her family she was going for a walk.

She had then walked to Drummond Road, where she was struck by the West Kirby loop train at around 9.30pm.

A statement from the train’s driver was read to the court, detailing how he had first sounded the warning horn 300 metres from the crossing to alert any pedestrians.

The inquest heard that approximately 25 metres from the crossing, the driver saw what he later learned was Rachelle, moving swiftly from the left.

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The driver – who has worked for Merseyrail for 13 years – applied the emergency brake and sounded the warning alarm once more but Rachelle walked towards the front of the train.

She suffered multiple injuries and was pronounced dead at the scene.

Liverpool Coroner Andre Rebello said: “It appears that she left her home address and walked to the crossing where this fatality occurred almost half-an-hour later.

“At the time when she was at home, there were no indicators with regard to what was eventually going to happen.”

Mr Rebello said he was satisfied that Rachelle had taken her own life.

Rachelle’s death has been described as a double tragedy for her family, with her mum Kay Diamond found dead in a flat in Toxteth on February 28.

Mr Rebello said: “Most families don’t normally come across the coroner once in a generation or in several generations. The experience of your family has not been that and I can’t imagine how difficult this year has been so far.

“Certainly at the end of February one would have thought the worst ever thing could have happened and for this most tragic innocent life of Rachelle’s to go in these circumstances on Friday, I can’t actually say anything to make anyone feel any better.”

A post-mortem found Ms Diamond died as a result of blunt force trauma to the head.

Anthony Blye, 52, from Toxteth, was charged with murder, but denied causing her death.

He appeared at Liverpool Crown Court in early March via video link from HMP Liverpool.

A plea and case management hearing will be held in June.

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Tributes left for Rachelle Owen in Hoylake.

In a statement, Rachelle’s family said: "Rachelle was a beautiful, vibrant, loved daughter, granddaughter, sister and niece, who attended Hilbre High School Humanities College.

"She will be greatly missed forever by all of her family and friends.

"This is a double tragedy to our family following the recent death and funeral of her mum, Kay Diamond."

Friends of Rachelle held an online vigil in her memory on Sunday night.

Facebook group Sweet Dreams Rachelle, set up in memory of the West Kirby teenager, asked for friends to light a candle at 8pm, then post a picture of it as a tribute on the group's page.

A message on the page said: "Words can't describe this feeling, a huge part of the family gone. We will miss you always. Shine brightly Rachelle for the big gap in our hearts."

Students, staff and Governors of Hilbre High School Humanities College paid tribute to a 'well-motivated, hardworking and compassionate' Rachelle.

A memorial assembly was held on Monday afternoon.

Principal Jan Levenson said: "We were devastated to learn the sad news of Rachelle's death.

"She was a popular student with both students and staff, well motivated, hard working and compassionate. Rachelle's form teacher, Mrs Lewis, described Rachelle as focused and driven, with ambitions of working within a firm of solicitors.

"She demonstrated tremendous strength and maturity and will be sorely missed by everyone who had the privilege of knowing her.

"Our deepest sympathy and sincere condolences go out to Rachelle's family and friends. May she rest in peace."