This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-48862037
The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Second rail worker killed by train named as Michael Lewis | |
| (32 minutes later) | |
| The second railway worker who died after being struck by a train has been named as Michael "Spike" Lewis. | |
| The 58-year-old from North Cornelly was hit by the Swansea to Paddington train near Margam on Wednesday, alongside Gareth Delbridge, 64. | |
| In a statement, his family said Mr Lewis was "known by everyone, and loved by everyone". | |
| British Transport Police (BTP) said the men may have not heard the train coming as they had ear defenders on. | British Transport Police (BTP) said the men may have not heard the train coming as they had ear defenders on. |
| A third worker was treated at the scene for shock, but was not injured. | A third worker was treated at the scene for shock, but was not injured. |
| Mr Lewis' family said: "We would like to thank everyone so much for their support during this difficult time and ask that we are now given the space we need to grieve." | |
| Alan Gitsham, a former railway worker, said he was "devastated" as he used to work with both men. | |
| "Mike was great, a tidy fella. I'm devastated, I can't believe he's gone," Mr Gitsham said. | |
| Kenfig Hill Rugby Club said earlier Mr Delbridge was a long-standing member and "an absolutely fantastic guy". | |
| Gary Chappell, the club's treasurer, said Mr Delbridge's death was "more than devastating". | |
| "He was an absolutely fantastic guy. He always had a smile on his face," he said. | "He was an absolutely fantastic guy. He always had a smile on his face," he said. |
| "He always had time to say hello to you." | "He always had time to say hello to you." |
| He added that Mr Delbridge, who was known as "Gazza", was an "absolute staunch" Kenfig Hill supporter and was well known at the club. | He added that Mr Delbridge, who was known as "Gazza", was an "absolute staunch" Kenfig Hill supporter and was well known at the club. |
| Ray Giles, secretary of the rugby club, described Mr Delbridge as a "big family man" and "a really, really likeable lad". | Ray Giles, secretary of the rugby club, described Mr Delbridge as a "big family man" and "a really, really likeable lad". |
| "Cheerful, never down, always bags of fun," he added. | "Cheerful, never down, always bags of fun," he added. |
| Mr Giles went on to say Mr Delbridge was an excellent sportsman when he was younger, and said it was "such a tragedy to lose someone so dear". | Mr Giles went on to say Mr Delbridge was an excellent sportsman when he was younger, and said it was "such a tragedy to lose someone so dear". |
| "We were all just stunned, lost for words, and just grieving at the moment." | "We were all just stunned, lost for words, and just grieving at the moment." |
| Reverend Gordon Sollis, from North Cornelly Methodist Church, has opened its doors to those who want to pray or reflect on the incident. | Reverend Gordon Sollis, from North Cornelly Methodist Church, has opened its doors to those who want to pray or reflect on the incident. |
| "I'll be here if people want to talk about anything or just be here," he said. | "I'll be here if people want to talk about anything or just be here," he said. |
| Mr Delbridge and the other victim died at the scene and an investigation is under way. | Mr Delbridge and the other victim died at the scene and an investigation is under way. |
| British Transport Police (BTP) Supt Andy Morgan said: "Following a number of urgent inquiries into this tragic incident, it has been established that the three people were railway workers who were working on the lines at the time. | British Transport Police (BTP) Supt Andy Morgan said: "Following a number of urgent inquiries into this tragic incident, it has been established that the three people were railway workers who were working on the lines at the time. |
| "The initial stages of the investigation suggest that the two men who died had been wearing ear defenders at the time and, tragically, could not hear the passenger train approaching. | "The initial stages of the investigation suggest that the two men who died had been wearing ear defenders at the time and, tragically, could not hear the passenger train approaching. |
| "We have a number of officers who remain in the area and we are continuing to work alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to understand the full circumstances of what happened in the moments before this incredibly sad, fatal collision." | "We have a number of officers who remain in the area and we are continuing to work alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Branch to understand the full circumstances of what happened in the moments before this incredibly sad, fatal collision." |
| Bill Kelly, Network Rail's route managing director for Wales, added: "We are fully co-operating with the British Transport Police and Rail Accident Investigation Branch. | Bill Kelly, Network Rail's route managing director for Wales, added: "We are fully co-operating with the British Transport Police and Rail Accident Investigation Branch. |
| "Our thoughts are with the families of our colleagues and our members of staff who will be affected by this tragic loss, and we will provide all the support we can." | "Our thoughts are with the families of our colleagues and our members of staff who will be affected by this tragic loss, and we will provide all the support we can." |
| The deaths come just three months after the Rail Accident Investigation Branch warned there were "too many near misses in which railway workers have had to jump for their lives". | The deaths come just three months after the Rail Accident Investigation Branch warned there were "too many near misses in which railway workers have had to jump for their lives". |
| In 2018 there was one death on the mainline railway and 6,641 injuries, of which 164 were major. | In 2018 there was one death on the mainline railway and 6,641 injuries, of which 164 were major. |
| Great Western Railway (GWR) said about 180 passengers were on the train at the time of the incident and about three hours later, they were transported by buses to Port Talbot and Cardiff. | Great Western Railway (GWR) said about 180 passengers were on the train at the time of the incident and about three hours later, they were transported by buses to Port Talbot and Cardiff. |
| The line reopened late on Wednesday. | The line reopened late on Wednesday. |
| In a statement, the company said everyone at GWR was "incredibly saddened" to learn two railway colleagues lost their lives when they were struck by the 09:29 service from Swansea to London Paddington. | In a statement, the company said everyone at GWR was "incredibly saddened" to learn two railway colleagues lost their lives when they were struck by the 09:29 service from Swansea to London Paddington. |
| It added it was working with the British Transport Police, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and Network Rail to find out how the "tragic accident" happened. | It added it was working with the British Transport Police, the Rail Accident Investigation Branch, and Network Rail to find out how the "tragic accident" happened. |
| Stephen Lester, who was also on board, said: "[I] looked out of the window and saw people standing around looking at the floor." | Stephen Lester, who was also on board, said: "[I] looked out of the window and saw people standing around looking at the floor." |
| He said the blinds had to be pulled down as there were about 30 secondary school children from Swansea in the carriage who were due to go on a trip to London. | He said the blinds had to be pulled down as there were about 30 secondary school children from Swansea in the carriage who were due to go on a trip to London. |