A TRAFFORD Park worker who rode his bike along a train track was killed instantly after being hit by an intercity service, a coroner’s inquest heard on Monday.

Czech immigrant, Stanislav Zalesky, 31, got on the line at Trafford Park Station on the evening of August 3, 2008, but had gone just a 100 yards when the Liverpool to Nottingham service ploughed into him at 80mph.

Stockport Coroner's Court heard the force of the impact, which occurred shortly after 10pm, fired Stanislav 100 yards up the track. He was wearing no reflective clothing, and neither of the lights on his bike were on.

Giving evidence, train driver Robert Seymour described events moments before impact: “I came around the bend when all of a sudden I saw a person who was possibly riding a bike. He was in the tracks itself.

“Before I had any chance to react I had struck him. I didn’t even get chance to sound a warning or anything.”

The court also heard how Stanislav, living in Warrington at the time but working as a fork lift truck driver in Trafford Park, had been unable to catch his usual lift home and, being unfamiliar with Trafford Park, was possibly using the train line as a simple route home.

Ironically, he was travelling in the wrong direction, and was actually heading towards Manchester when the accident happened.

A fingerprint expert from Greater Manchester Police had to be called in to confirm the identity of Staneslav’s body, and an autopsy found cause of death to be multiple serious injuries, including several major bone fractures.

The inquest found the death to be accidental.

Afterwards, British Transport Police officer, Sergeant Neil Edwards, who investigated the case, told Messenger in many EU countries it was not illegal for pedestrians to walk on railway lines, which could explain why Mr Zilesky had taken to the tracks.

A BTP spokesman added: “Trespass is a serious issue for the railways, not only because of the obvious safety hazards, but also because of the disruption it causes. When drivers report seeing trespassers lineside, trains are put on caution, causing delays, rail staff or police might be sent, which is a waste of their time, although necessary in the interests of safety.”

Anyone found on the rail line in the UK faces a £1,000 fine and a criminal record.