Rick Stein chef dies in train tragedy

A chef who worked for Rick Stein in Padstow was accidentally crushed by a train as he went to pick up coffee after a drunken outing.

Kyle Kusano-Puffett was killed by a moving train on April 25 as he returned home from a day out with a friend, reported local newspaper the http://www.plymouthherald.co.uk/Rick-Stein-chef-crushed-death-Plymouth-train/story-27722404-detail/story.html" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer">Plymouth Herald.

In the coroner's inquest report, released today, a toxicologist established that at the time of his death the chef had 219mg of alcohol in his blood and 235mg of the drug MDMA per 100ml. The legal driving limit is 80mg of alcohol per 100ml of blood.

The inquest today heard that on his journey from Plymouth to Padstow, Kusano-Puffett needed to change at Bodmin Parkway, and climbed out of the train window instead of waiting for the doors to open. He placed his coffee above the door to keep it "safe", but forgot to pick it up again before the train started moving off at a reported 30mph.

Realising he had forgotten his drink, he jumped to retrieve the cup from the departing carriage, and accidentally fell between the platform and train. Despite the emergency brake being applied by the driver, the chef suffered fatal head and rib injuries.

Coroner Barrie van den Berg recorded a verdict of accidental death, stating: "I come to the obvious conclusion that this was an accident. Sometimes when you have a few drinks what seems like a good idea then is a tragic idea later."

The Seafood Restaurant is the Stein family's main restaurant in the Cornwall town of Padstow. Chef Rick has established a culinary, fish and seafood-centric business based in the town and throughout the county.

The portfolio also includes Rick Stein's Fish & Chips, Rick Stein in Porthleven, Winchester, Fistral, and Sandbanks; the Cornish Arms pub in St Merryn; Rick Stein's Fish in Falmouth; and Rick Stein's Café and St Petroc's Bistro, also in Padstow.

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