Former England batsman Graham Thorpe has died at the age of 55 after being struck by a train at a railway station. An inquest into his death, held on Tuesday, revealed that Thorpe took his own life. His wife, Amanda Thorpe, confirmed this in an interview with The Times on Monday, revealing that her husband had been struggling with mental health issues for years.
Thorpe’s death occurred on the morning of August 4th at Esher railway station, southwest of London. The Surrey Coroner’s Court in Woking recorded his cause of death as multiple injuries sustained during the incident. The area coroner, Simon Wickens, expressed his sincere condolences to Thorpe’s family and everyone touched by his life and career.
Thorpe’s death has deeply saddened the cricketing world, where he was known and loved for his elegant batting style. He enjoyed a distinguished England career spanning from 1993 to 2005, scoring over 9,000 runs, including 16 Test hundreds. After his playing days, Thorpe dedicated himself to coaching, holding various roles for 12 years.
In 2022, Thorpe was hospitalized and declared seriously ill. Amanda Thorpe revealed that her husband had attempted suicide two years prior to his death. Despite having a loving family, including his wife and two daughters, Thorpe’s mental health struggles persisted.
Thorpe’s daughter, Kitty, shared that the family is not ashamed to talk about his death, emphasizing that mental illness is a real disease that can affect anyone. She stressed that there is no shame in seeking help and that mental health should not be stigmatized.
The left-handed batsman played in 100 Test matches and 82 one-day internationals for England. His legacy will be remembered for his elegant batting and his commitment to the sport, but also for the tragic circumstances surrounding his passing. His death serves as a stark reminder of the importance of mental health awareness and seeking help when needed.
