Inquest: Cannabis contributed to 15-year-old girl's death on railway

Amy Hursey, from Basingstoke, died on April 20, 2023, aged just 15, after she fell on to a live rail having consumed a significant amount of cannabis, which impaired her cognitive function and judgement.

Amy’s family, including her parents and grandparents, attended an inquest at Winchester Coroner’s Court on Monday, August 19, where they shared memories of the bright and spirited teenager.

Her father, Chris Hursey, described Amy as a loving and humourous girl who enjoyed spending time with her family and friends.

"She was funny, and she had a quirky sense of humour," Mr Hursey said.

He added that Amy had been looking forward to finishing school, getting a part-time job, and attending Queen Mary’s College for A-levels.

She had recently completed her English GCSEs and was relieved to have finished the coursework.

Coroner Jason Pegg, who presided over the inquest, gave an open conclusion, saying that while Amy did not intentionally take her own life, the cannabis itself directly contributed to diminishing her cognitive function and her reasoning.

Amy Hursey (Image: British Transport Police)

READ MORE: Tribute paid to girl, 15, who died on Basingstoke railway

"I'm satisfied that the cannabis itself did contribute to Amy's death. It diminished her cognitive function and also her reasoning, which I think led to her death," said Mr Pegg.

However, he acknowledged that the exact circumstances surrounding the fall remain unclear.

Although police statements from Amy’s friends indicated that she was known to have smoked cannabis a handful of times before that day, her parents were unaware of it.

Mr Hursey acknowledged that Amy had been dealing with the usual stress of school and exams, but he said she had no other significant worries.

He also mentioned that Amy had gone through a breakup in January, which had initially left her heartbroken, but by April, she seemed to have moved on.

One of Amy’s friends, who cannot be named for legal reasons, gave evidence that Amy had smoked cannabis with two friends in the months before the tragedy.

The friend revealed that she got a message on Snapchat that Amy had been with them in the hour before she fell onto the railway line.

They said Amy would often drive around Basingstoke with them, where they would smoke cannabis in a car.

Both friends were present at the inquest and they denied ever smoking cannabis with Amy, including on the day of her death.

The inquest was shown video footage from Basingstoke railway station that captured Amy waiting on the platform before she began marching on the spot and eventually fell onto the railway line.

The coroner said that Amy’s death was due to contact with the live rail, adding that had she not touched the rail, she would have likely escaped with only minor injuries.

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In his concluding remarks, Mr Pegg emphasised the role of cannabis in the tragic incident.

He said: "Amy left the platform and landed on the live rail, causing her to be electrocuted. It cannot be ascertained whether Amy intended to fall from the platform, whether it was an unconscious and involuntary act, or whether she simply stumbled.

"There is a lack of clarity. But I'm satisfied that Amy had consumed a quantity of cannabis which likely diminished her cognitive function."