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Victoria Road
Father of man killed by train at Surbiton station said benefits changes ‘weighed on his mind’
A man hit by a train at Surbiton station is believed to have committed suicide on his 46th birthday.
Neil Groves turned 46 on the day he died and planned an evening in with his father, with a few cans of beer and some crisps in front of the television – a regular weekend ritual. Police said his death on Thursday, February 13, just after 7.30pm, was not being treated as suspicious. His 78-year-old father Ronald Groves, of Manordene Close in Thames Ditton, said: “He was happy here. He had a happy home. He liked watching TV programmes like Only Fools and Horses – comedies, he liked. Neil had had an “unsettled childhood” and did not fit in at school, his father said.
Mr Groves’ father said he believed a potential change to his son’s employment and support allowance (ESA) benefit “must have” weighed on Mr Groves. Mr Groves had received incapacity benefit for some years, his father said, which was stopped after an assessment, and he was not moved on to ESA. He later won an appeal against the decision.
He had recently been diagnosed with chronic depression, and claimed sickness benefit and jobseeker’s allowance. Mr Groves’ uncle, Alan, said he had taken to walking his dogs as well after an accident. He had a labrador, Buster. His family said Neil had not left a note.
Where to get help
Help exists for people worried about their benefits or other issues:
KCIL provides support for help with benefits. Its contact number is 020 8546 9603. The Mind charity promotes the views and needs of people with mental health problems. Its helpline number is 03001 233 393. To get in touch with the Samaritans in Kingston, call 020 8399 6676 or drop in at 12 St Andrew’s Road, Surbiton. Samaritans lend a confidential ear to those in distress.
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