A man killed in a collision with a train at Romford station earlier this month has been named in court as a 19-year-old student.

Ethan Pieterse, of Becontree Avenue in Dagenham, died from multiple severe injuries, East London Coroner’s Court has heard.

The collision on November 4 was reported by the Romford Recorder as it caused major disruption to Elizabeth line services between Shenfield and Stratford.

Senior coroner Graeme Irvine opened an inquest into Mr Pieterse's death at the Walthamstow courthouse on Wednesday, November 27.

“Quite properly, the British Transport Police assessed that this was an unnatural and unexplained death,” he said, saying the incident had been referred to him on the same day it happened.

Mr Pieterse was identified by police and paramedics at the scene from his provisional driving licence.

Mr Irvine ordered a post-mortem examination, which found his injuries “were entirely consistent with a high impact or high energy collision with a train.”

“It seems to me that Mr Pieterse's death is, as the statute describes it, a violent death and as such must be considered in an inquest,” Mr Irvine told the court.

The hearing was attended by one family friend, via video link, who Mr Irvine said was welcome to apply to be considered an “interested person” in the inquest.

Interested persons have the right to view evidence ahead of an inquest and question witnesses.

“Certainly, when Ethan’s next of kin is identified by the court, I will be very happy to make them an interested person,” the coroner said.

Once they were identified, he said, he wanted his coroner’s officers to obtain a statement from them about Mr Pieterse's background.

“I know that he was a student. That’s about as much as I know about his biography,” Mr Irvine said.

“I would like to know more about who Ethan was in life.”

He said the statement should include “any stresses or strains that might have impacted upon Ethan’s behaviour” and “any known physical or mental health problems prior to his death”.

Mr Irvine also declared British Transport Police an interested person.

“I know that they are undertaking an investigation into the death at the same time as me and I want them to be intimately involved in the inquest process,” Mr Irvine explained.

He told the family friend: "Please accept my sincere condolences and extend them to the family. 

"It is mercifully rare that I have to deal with the deaths of young people and it's always particularly tragic when I do have to deal with deaths in these circumstances. 

"I'm very sorry for your loss."

The full inquest was scheduled for May 21.

When life is difficult, the Samaritans is available 365 days, 24/7. Call for free on 116 123, email jo@samaritans.org, or visit www.samaritans.org.