University student, 18, was killed when he jumped in front of Tube train just days after England went into second Covid lockdown, inquest hears
- Eliot Gower was studying at the University of Greenwich when he died in 2020
- Days before his death on November 8, England was put into a second lockdown
- He was spotted on CCTV at Bank station moments before he was hit by a train
- An inquest at the City of London Coroner’s Court concluded death was suicide
- Eliot was described by his mother as ‘kind, loving and excelling at school’
- *For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a Samaritans branch*
An 18-year-old university student died when he jumped in front of a train at a Tube station just days after England was plunged into a second lockdown, an inquest has heard.
Eliot Gower was three months into his International Relations degree at the University of Greenwich when he took his own life at Bank station on November 8, 2020, an inquest at the City of London Coroners’ Court heard today.
Just days before his death, on November 5, the Government had made a U-turn by bringing in a second national lockdown.
Eliot lived in a flat in university accommodation in Cutty Sark Hall but had very few seminars on campus and was discouraged from mixing outside of his flat of eight other students, the inquest was told.
Eliot, whose family home is on a farm in Elham in Kent, was described by his mother Kim Gower as ‘kind, loving and excelling at school’ but ‘unfailingly modest’.
Eliot Gower, 18, died in November 2020 when he was hit by a Tube train at Bank station, an inquest heard
Today’s inquest heard Eliot had no previous history of mental health problems and had no contact with any mental health services.
His friends recalled him acting normally in the days leading up to his death, albeit seeming ‘a little bit depressed’, the court was told.
On the day of his death, the inquest heard, Eliot sent a text to a flatmate saying he had had a dream about going on holiday which made him ‘really happy’, a feeling he said he had not felt for a while.
Later that day, he was seen on CCTV at Bank station, presumably having taken the DLR from Cutty Sark.
British Transport Police, who investigated the incident, were represented by fatality investigator Christina Butler who told the court nobody was in Eliot’s vicinity on the platform moments before his death.
The inquest heard toxicology reports found no traces of alcohol in his system.
Coroner Linda Jacobs returned a conclusion of suicide.
During the hearing, the coroner read a statement on behalf of Eliot’s mother Mrs Gower, which said: ‘Eliot was the most laidback and smiley baby and child, growing up on the farm.
‘He grew up to be kind, loving and good, excelling at school and and on the farm as an excellent machine operator.
‘He didn’t like the limelight and was unfailingly modest. He had five very close friends, who have all needed counselling [following his death] and visit his grave regularly.
‘He was very close to his youngest brother Rory, they did so much together, like making banana pancakes. The last time Eliot came home was 10 days before he died, where they spent time cleaning a large pond [on the farm].’
She added: ‘I miss hearing his car pull up to our drive, music blaring out the windows. His casket was laid out on straw bales he had recently laid.
‘His father dug a grave beneath an oak tree in the meadow. I can see the meadow from our bedroom window.
‘He was always smiling…we never saw him sad or depressed which makes his death so difficult to understand. We will love him forever.’
Mrs Gower was joined in court by Eliot’s grandmother Linda Chambers, older brother Freddie, uncle Matt Clacket and cousin Lewis Hacket.
British Transport Police said Eliot was spotted on CCTV on the platform at Bank station with nobody in his vicinity moments before his death
Ms Butler, on behalf of British Transport Police, said: ‘In the days prior [to Eliot’s death], the friends went to a picnic in Greenwich Park, and nothing caused concern until late that day.
‘Eliot and a friend had a bit of a falling out but nothing that would cause concern for his welfare.
‘In terms of his movements [on the day of his death], he is seen first seen on CCTV footage at Bank station, but presumption being that he had taken the DLR from the Cutty Sark up to Bank station. Nobody was in his vicinity on the platform.’
Eliot’s friend, Jon, who he met at Harvey Grammar School in Kent, previously set up a fundraiser in the wake of his death.
A group of friends raised £4,740 for PAPYRUS Prevention of Young Suicide by trekking a 26.2-mile loop around where Eliot grew up in Kent.
**For confidential support call Samaritans on 116123 or visit a Samaritans branch**
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