London's financial centre is in shock after a millionaire New Zealander, apparently haunted by the pressures of dealing with the credit crunch, threw himself in front of an express train.
The New Zealand financier, Kirk Stephenson, 47, who was married with an eight-year-old son, died under the wheels of a 160kmh express train at Taplow railway station, Berkshire, the Daily Mail newspaper reported.
British Transport Police said Mr Stephenson threw himself in front of the Plymouth to Paddington train.
The newspaper said Mr Stephenson is believed to have taken his own life after succumbing to mounting personal pressures as the world's financial markets continue their meltdown.
He had breakfast with his wife, Karina Robinson, as successful financial writer, and son Lucas, before killing himself. He is survived by his wife and son, and his mother Bet Stephenson.
Mr Stephenson, who arrived in London in 1983 as an trained at merchant banker SG Warburg went on to work at several large organisations, and worked for financier Olivant Advisers.
He was paid £333,000 ($NZ907,356) last year, but is thought to have made millions more from the core Olivant business, based in Guernsey.
Mr Stephenson owned £3.6 million($NZ9.8 million), five-storey house in Chelsea and a holiday home in the West Country, and was chief operating officer of Olivant Advisers.
Last year, the private equity firm tried to buy a 15 per cent stake worth almost £1billion in Northern Rock before the bank was nationalised, bidding against Virgin boss Sir Richard Branson.
In June, the company secured a 2.5 per cent stake in Swiss banking giant UBS. There had been persistent speculation in the financial world that UBS has written off billions after being exposed to the US mortgage market, the Daily Mail reported.
Since June, the bank has dropped in value by about 20 per cent, which means the value of Olivant's stake in UBS has fallen from £950 million to £770 million.
Sources stressed that neither Mr Stephenson nor his company had financial problems that would have led him to take his own life, but said he had "succumbed to the stress and responsibilities of his taxing role".
They suggested that Mr Stephenson had overreacted to the continuing financial turmoil by leaping in front of a high-speed train.
The driver sounded his horn and slammed on the brakes but was unable to stop in time. The train came to a standstill a mile down the track.
Mr Stephenson left no note, but the incident is being treated by police, train operator First Great Western and his own firm as a suicide.
Mr Stephenson's colleagues and family were unable to explain why had he had gone to Taplow.
His widow said: "Kirk was a life-enhancer - not with a showy, life-and-soul-of-the-party sort of charisma, but as a planner who quietly ensured everyone around him had a marvellous time.
"A dedicated father and a devoted husband, he valued his family above all else.
"He had a gift for friendship and was a generous and exceptional host, gathering his wide circle in summer villas all over Europe, as well as for parties, dinners and opera.
"Any occasion with Kirk was a wonderful experience. He spent many a fine -- and less than fine -- summer evening listening to opera at Garsington, Glyndebourne and The Grange with friends.
"He also loved board games and tennis, passions he shared with his treasured son, Lucas".
Mr Stephenson married his wife in 1999 and together they travelled widely from Bhutan to Burgundy, Buenos Aires to Tripoli. Until two months ago, Mrs Stephenson, a former merchant banker, was a columnist for The Banker magazine.
