Morden man killed by Wimbledon station train wrote suicide note to son

Trains running through the station were suspended for an entire evening after 66-year-old John Moir, was fatally struck at 7.22pm on Thursday, March 31.

His son, Richard Moir – who had passed through the station only 30 minutes before his father’s death – contacted the Wimbledon Guardian to issue an apology to anyone who may have seen his father die in broad daylight.

He said: "I wish he hadn’t done it that way and caused people such distress.

"It was really unlike my dad. It was such a foolish thing to do.

"I don’t mean to be hard-nosed but my kids could have been standing there.

"That doesn’t distract from the fact I love him."

Dad wrote suicide note on day he died

He added: "A few days later I received a letter from him, dated March 31 – the day he died.

"It was actually quite relieving because it’s not like he had a few beers one day and did it without thinking it through.

"We heard about it when I was at home at about 10pm with my wife and kids.

"I had come through the station about half an hour before it happened.

"I could have easily been on the train that hit him."

Tributes to ex-soldier

John Moir, whose funeral will be held on Friday, leaves behind two children, a brother, and his wife with whom he lived in Morton Road, Morden.

An Army veteran, he served in Northern Ireland before retiring in 1988 to start a new career in financial services, from which he was due to retire.

This morning, reader Brenda Longman sent us this tribute to Mr Moir:

"Dear, Dear John, I am simply quite shattered by your death and am so saddened by the feelings of helplessness.

"Thank you for your unending support, kindness and friendship over the past few years.

"The beautiful camelia you bought for me is in full bloom and will always be a reminder of your generosity."

Passenger: Stuck in "horrible situation" for two hours

Kamal Ali, who was on the train that killed Mr Moir, gave the Wimbledon Guardian this harrowing account of what happened on March 31:

"It was a horrible situation.

"As the train was approaching Wimbledon station at high speed, the first thing I noticed was the screeching of the train's brakes, followed by the horn of the train and, maybe five seconds later, I felt and heard a thud.

"It was horrible as I, along with the other passengers, knew that we had somehow been involved in an incident which claimed the life of a human being.

"The train eventually came to a standstill, we were informed by the guard that a 'serious incident had just happened and to expect delays' before the emergency services arrived.

"We were all stuck on the train for approximately two hours and were then dropped off at Surbiton.

"I feel sorry for the train driver who probably had a visual account of the incident which, I'm sure, is far worse the my experience of hearing and feeling what happen.

"Situations like these make you realise how precious and short life is.

"I can imagine what the victim must have been going through in his life to decide to end his life, especially in this manner.

"My heart goes out the the victim, his family and the train driver."

Did you know John Moir and would like to leave a tribute? Call 020 8722 6335 or email: ooakes@london.newsquest.co.uk.

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