Singer killed herself during hospital leave

A talented young musician from Staffordshire killed herself while on "leave" from a hospital where she was being treated after showing signs of suicidal tendencies, an inquest has heard.

Samantha Maritza, who was the lead singer of up-and-coming electro indie band China Red, was killed when she stepped off the platform into the path of a train travelling at 125mph at Lichfield Trent Valley on June 9 last year.

The 21-year-old, who was studying hairdressing at Tamworth College, was released the same day on "unescorted leave" from St George's Hospital, in Stafford, at 12.30pm and was due to return at 2.30pm.

Speaking at Cannock Coroner's Court, Dr Gurpreet Singh, a consultant psychiatrist for the South Staffordshire & Shropshire Healthcare Trust, said he became aware of Samantha when she was admitted to the hospital in May after she tried to hang herself the month before.

Samantha had a hospital meeting with Dr Singh on the day of her death, and the psychiatrist said he saw a "big improvement".

Dr Singh said Samantha, of Batesway, Brereton, near Rugeley, seemed more "cheerful" and "confident".

She was allowed a few hours of unescorted leave."

Samantha went to Lichfield station and stepped on the track, just before 4pm.

Solicitor Sharon Allison said Samantha was found with a T-shirt around her neck at the hospital on May 22 and on May 25 she was found in possession of a screwdriver.

Dr Singh said he was not aware of these incidents and said, with hindsight, had he been, it might have changed the decision to let her go.

Mr Haigh said Samantha killed herself while mentally unwell, but he was satisfied there had been no "gross failures."