The coronavirus lockdown may have contributed to the death of a “bubbly and confident” dad-of-two who died after being struck by a train near Welshpool, an inquest heard.

Leighton Tibbott was 42 when he died on April 9, 2020, two weeks after the Prime Minister announced the first lockdown in the UK.

The inquest at Pontypridd Coroners’ Court last week was told that Mr Tibbott did not give any indication about his intentions that day and that he was “upbeat” and "over the moon" about a new role he’d started eight days previously.

Assistant coroner Dr Sarah-Jane Richards said “things changed dramatically quickly” for the “vivacious, loud and jolly” Mr Tibbott who had “lost his mojo and was quite a different person” after he was diagnosed with severe depression.

Dr Richards added that the Covid lockdown "certainly would have had an impact on Mr Tibbott because of his personality and character".

The inquest was expected to conclude on Friday (September 16) but has been adjourned until the New Year.

The second day of the inquest heard from mental health professionals and the care given to Mr Tibbott in the months and years before his death.

READ MORE: Dad died after being hit by train near Welshpool

Psychiatrist Dr Gamble said: "The effect of the pandemic that started in 2020, I have had personal dealings with patients where it has been catastrophic, perhaps the additional stress was when the Prime Minister announced the lockdown.

"It was a terrible moment for the country, and I can only imagine how it affected Mr Tibbott. He was aware of the possible impact it had on his employment. It's plausible that it contributed to his death."

Dr Gamble added: "Things were looking up for him but we don’t know what led to his train of thought. We don’t know what he was thinking at the time."

The inquest also heard that Mr Tibbott admitted to a psychologist that he kept stresses and worries “too close to my chest and that might not be the best way to deal with it and I think that needs to change’."

Dr Stuart Brook said: "We were trying to get Leighton to see he was a fantastic guy. Sometimes it might take a series of interventions to get there.

"But as I saw it Leighton wasn’t communicating openly with others and those were the times when he was likely to disappear. He told us he felt better, and that’s a step better for one self."

During last week’s inquest, Richard Tibbott shared how everybody admired his brother who he described as his best friend.

“He was always very popular with a big group of friends," he said.

"He was the centre of most groups he was involved with. He was a fun loving and inspirational character. Leighton had a lot of traits I aspired and admired as did others. He was a leader and captain of several sports teams. He inspired people to follow him.

"A great listener as well and always ready to take on other people’s ideas and thoughts and he very popular because of that. A very competitive guy as well, in a very fun way.”