A mum-of-seven who "struggled with lockdown" had downed 15 cans of lager before she was tragically killed when she was struck by a train, an inquest heard.

Sammi-Jo Edwards, 41, had just started a new job as a pub cleaner when she was furloughed in March due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Afterwards, her partner Jamie Cullingham says she "struggled with lockdown" and "spent all of her time at home" – with her drinking increasing dramatically.

He said: "She was drinking 14 to 15 cans of lager most days.

"Some days she would drink even more than that. Some days she would have nothing at all."

A hearing was told Sammi-Jo started drinking first thing in the morning on the day of her death in June.

She drunk 15 cans of lager in the day before heading out in the evening with just her key and £20 – but never returned.

When one of her daughters rang her she said she was on a railway bridge – prompting her family to rush to the scene near Wellington, Somerset.

But the inquest heard Sammi-Jo had already been struck and killed by a train by the time they arrived.

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A post-mortem ruled that the former carer died from multiple traumatic injuries and a toxicology report showed she was more than three times the legal drink-drive limit.

Mr Cullingham said she had left no note or text messages and he did not believe she had deliberately ended her own life even though she was "not in a good place".

Coroner Tony Williams agreed and ruled out suicide, recording a narrative conclusion at the hearing at Somerset Coroner's Court on Wednesday, November 18.

He said: "Sammi-Jo Edwards was struck by a train but her intention at that time has not been established."

Mr Cullingham described Sammi-Jo as "one in a million" in the aftermath of her tragic death.

He said: "She was sprinkled with a sackload of stardust. She was very caring, always worried about everyone else, very outgoing.

"She never discussed her own problems, she was more concerned for other people."

For emotional support, you can call the Samaritans 24-hour helpline on 116 123, email [email protected], visit a Samaritans branch in person or go to the Samaritans website.

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