A suicidal driver who parked his car on a level crossing derailing a high-speed train was responsible for the deaths of six other people, a jury decided.

Troubled chef Brian Drysdale, whose parents live in Halesowen, was killed after driving his Mazda 323 on to the tracks as the London Paddington to Plymouth service approached at some 100mph.

The crash in November 2004 also claimed the lives of the train driver and five of his passengers.

The inquest jury yesterday recorded verdicts of unlawful killing on them and suicide on Mr Drysdale following the month-long hearing at Slough.

The jury had heard how the 5.35 First Great Western carrying 281 people was seven miles west of Reading, near the village of Ufton Nervet, when it collided with the car, causing a “catastrophic derailment”.

One carriage rolled over, the buffet car was bent double and the coach in which most of the victims were slid along on its side.

Mr Drysdale had been to work at the Wokefield Park Hotel near Reading on November 6 but left early, saying he was ill.

Less than 45 minutes later, he was seen to manouvre his car between the gates at the level crossing a few miles away.

Train driver Stanley Martin, 54 and passengers Barry Strevens, 55, from Wells, Somerset, Emily Webster, 14, from Moretonhampstead, Devon, Anjanette Rossi, 38, from Speen, Berkshire, and her daughter Louella Main, nine, were all killed.

The final victim, Leslie Matthews, 72, from Warminster, Wiltshire, died the nextday. Another 120 people were injured.

Mr Drysdale was awaiting the results of an HIV test when the crash happened. He did not have the disease.

Train driver Stanley Martin’s widow Deborah said: ““I hope this gives some sort of understanding how one selfish act can impact on so many.”