Woman who died after leaning out a train window '˜was hit by a tree'

A woman who died after leaning out of a train's window was hit by a tree or branch, an inquest has heard.
Bethan Roper, 28, from Penarth, South Wales, who died from serious head injuries suffered on a train between Bath and Keynsham on December 1. Picture: Cardiff School of Journalism/PA WireBethan Roper, 28, from Penarth, South Wales, who died from serious head injuries suffered on a train between Bath and Keynsham on December 1. Picture: Cardiff School of Journalism/PA Wire
Bethan Roper, 28, from Penarth, South Wales, who died from serious head injuries suffered on a train between Bath and Keynsham on December 1. Picture: Cardiff School of Journalism/PA Wire

Bethan Roper, 28, was returning home from a Christmas shopping trip when she died on December 1.

The charity worker, from Penarth in south Wales, suffered serious head injuries while travelling between Bath and Keynsham in Somerset.

She was pronounced dead at Bristol Temple Meads station.

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An inquest into her death has been opened and adjourned at Avon Coroners’ Court in Flax Bourton, near Bristol.

Bethan was working for the Welsh Refugee Council at the time of her death, having graduated from Cardiff Metropolitan University in 2013.

The charity, a sister organisation to the UK-wide Refugee Council, works to help asylum seekers and refugees in Wales.

She was also a campaigner and chairman of Young Socialists Cardiff.

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The inquest will resume on March 20 but investigations into the circumstances of her death continue.

The incident was reported to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

British Transport Police and the Office of Rail and Road are also carrying out investigations.

In a statement at the time of her death, BTP said: “We were called at around 10.10pm following a report a woman had received serious head injuries while travelling on a train between Bath and Keynsham.

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“Officers from BTP attended along with colleagues from Avon and Somerset Police and South Western Ambulance Service but despite their best efforts, the woman died at the scene.

“Officers were called at 10.10pm on Saturday (01/12) following a report a woman had received serious head injuries while travelling on a train between Bath and Keynsham.

“Colleagues from South Western Ambulance Service also attended, however, despite their best efforts, a 28-year-old woman from Penarth sadly died at the scene. Her family has been informed.

“Our investigation remains at an early stage, but initial enquiries suggest the woman may have been leaning out of a window when she suffered a blow to the head.

“We are continuing to investigate the circumstances of the incident, which has been reported to the Rail Accident Investigation Branch (RAIB).

“The death is not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”