Mum made heartbreaking final Facetime call moments before she died on railway tracks

A much-loved mum and former pub landlady made a video call moments before she died near a Stockport railway station, a court has heard. An inquest was opened this morning (August 29) into the death of Jill Parton at South Manchester Coroner's Court in Stockport.

The 46-year-old suffered fatal injuries after being struck by a freight train near Heaton Chapel station in the early hours of June 3, the court heard. Ms Parton was formerly known as Jill Canovan before changing her name following a divorce, the court heard.

Police coroner's officer Alison Catlow gave details of how officers became aware of Ms Parton's death, including a call from someone described in court as a 'partner'. Ms Catlow told the court: "On June 3 at 3.59am, British Transport Police received a call from Network Rail that a freight service train had struck had struck someone close to Heaton Chapel station.

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"Following a full search of the tracks, a female was located with injuries inconsistent with life. British Transport Police received a call from Greater Manchester Police to advise that they had received a call from the female's partner, stating that she had Facetimed him whilst on the railway tracks."

Ms Catlow added that Mrs Parton's cause of death had been given as 'extensive traumatic injuries'. Asked by assistant coroner Christopher Murray if any mental health service had been involved with Ms Parton, she replied: "I believe there was sir, yes."

Ms Parton lived in Heaton Chapel and was well known from her time as landlady of The Crown pub, near Stockport Viaduct. Her daughter, Amber, previously told the Manchester Evening