An inquest has formally opened into the death of Thomas Reynolds, the 13-year-old boy from Culcheth who died after being struck by a train at Leigh Golf Club level crossing on December 15.
The hearing at Warrington Coroner's Court on Wednesday was necessarily procedural, but there is nothing tidy or clinical about the death of a child. The phrase used in court was "unnatural death", which may be correct in coronial terms, but it lands with all the warmth of a brick. No amount of official language makes this any less heartbreaking.
Victoria Davies, area coroner for Cheshire, said it was appropriate to open the inquest given the circumstances and then adjourn it so further work can be completed. An internal coronial review date has been set for March 16, with the full inquest due on May 21.
Police and paramedics attended the scene, but Thomas was sadly pronounced dead there. It was confirmed in the days after the incident that his death was not being treated as suspicious.
What cuts through all the formalities is the tribute from his family, and frankly that says far more about Thomas than any court timetable ever could. He was described as "beautiful, bright and funny", and his mum said he was an "incredibly loving and caring son, big brother, grandson, nephew, cousin and friend to so many".
She said he "would help anyone in a heartbeat" and spoke of how humbling it had been to hear so many stories about the effect he had on other people's lives. That is the sort of thing people say when someone has genuinely mattered, not in the shallow, funeral-flower sense, but in the real way. A boy who made people laugh, helped others, and left a mark far bigger than his years.
His family also said they are "truly devastated and heartbroken" and that their lives will never be the same again. There is no clever local spin to put on that, because there shouldn't be. In a village like Culcheth, news like this does not stay neatly on a court list or a headline. It settles over the place.
Support information shared alongside the case included Samaritans, available free on 116 123, email [email protected], and samaritans.org. Details were also shared for PAPYRUS HOPELINE247, which offers confidential suicide prevention support on 0800 068 4141, by text on 88247, or by email at [email protected].