In this powerful interview, David Ditchfield recounts his extraordinary near-death experience (NDE) following a horrific train accident in Cambridge, UK, in 2006. Once at rock bottom as a functional alcoholic, David was transformed spiritually after being pulled under a speeding train and, just before critical surgery, encountering beings of light in the afterlife. This profound NDE awakened remarkable creative abilities, revealing hidden talents for music and painting. Despite having no formal classical music training and an inability to read or write music, David has composed two symphonies and a rhapsody—every piece premiering at sold-out concerts, including a commission from The Cambridge Clarinet Choir. His inspiring NDE paintings have been displayed in major exhibitions, including a year-long show at the Museum of the Bible in Washington D.C. David’s story, recently featured in a BBC World Service documentary, is a testament to human resilience and the profound, positive changes that can arise from even the darkest moments. He continues to compose and paint in Cambridge, sharing a message of recovery, hope, spiritual growth, manifestation, and authenticity.

Website: shineonthestory.com

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Transcript of this interview

Interview recorded November 1, 2025

YouTube Video Chapters:

00:00 – Introduction: David Ditchfield’s story

01:13 – About the show & accessing past interviews

02:10 – David’s biography: Accident and NDE

04:00 – Life before the accident: struggles and premonitions

05:03 – The train accident: how it happened

08:00 – Near-death experience (NDE) description

12:30 – Meeting beings of light and healing

16:00 – Returning to life and the impact

18:30 – Discovery of artistic and musical talents

21:00 – Creating paintings and symphonies

26:00 – The aftermath: recovery & life changes

31:00 – Sharing the story in the media (BBC documentary)

35:00 – Spiritual lessons from the NDE

45:00 – Overcoming limitations and discovering self-worth

54:00 – Manifestation and living authentically

1:04:00 – Advice on personal and spiritual growth

1:16:00 – The importance of presence and living in the now

1:24:00 – Continuous growth and closing thoughts