A YEAR-and-a-half on from the death of a man on the railway tracks in Prestatyn, another male was charged with manslaughter in connection with the incident yesterday (January 2).

Patrick Kennedy, 48, of no fixed abode, is accused of killing Keith Ford, 40, on Wednesday, July 13, 2022.

Ahead of his first court appearance next week, here is everything that is known about the incident in question at this stage.

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Man charged with manslaughter after death on Prestatyn railway tracks

What do we know about the incident so far?

British Transport Police was called to the stretch of the railway line close to Prestatyn Golf Club at 5.10pm on July 13 following reports of a casualty on the tracks.

Officers and colleagues from the Welsh Ambulance Service and North Wales Fire and Rescue Service also attended, but Mr Ford was pronounced dead at the scene.

At the opening of the inquest into his death, held in Ruthin on July 25, 2022, it was heard that Mr Ford, a self-employed gardener of Valley Road, Urmston, Manchester, was hit by a train and died of chest injuries.

The incident took place on the line between Prestatyn and Chester, with all lines blocked as a result.

Kennedy is also believed to be from the Manchester area, with the two men understood to have known each other.

On July 14, 2022, an initial arrest was made on suspicion of murder, but the accused was later released on bail pending further investigations.

Following the incident, Detective Inspector Granville Sellers said: “My thoughts are with the loved ones of the man who sadly passed away. They are being supported by our specially trained family liaison officers.”

What will happen next?

Kennedy is due to appear at Llandudno Magistrates’ Court on Wednesday, January 10 at 2pm.

As this will be a first hearing, he may be asked to enter a guilty or not guilty plea to his charge of manslaughter.

British Transport Police confirmed that he has not been remanded in custody for the time being.

A British Transport Police spokesperson added in respect of Mr Ford: "His family are being supported by our specially trained family liaison officers and have asked for privacy at this time."