A former Transport for London chairman has branded three men killed after they were hit by a train ‘common scum who will cost the railway millions.’

Brian Cooke took to Twitter hours after the bodies of the suspected graffiti artists were found near Loughbourough Junction station, in London, on Monday morning.

He wrote: ‘Why do BBC News keep referring to the guys killed at Loughborough Junction as graffiti ‘artists’ they are no such thing they are common scum and criminals who cost the railway millions and keep fares high.’

Brian Cooke is a former chairman of London Transport Users Committee (Picture: Evening Standard)

Tributes were left overnight near Loughborough Station (Picture: SWNS)

Cooke was suspended by the Tories earlier this year for calling a rival a ‘two-faced slut’, he was also sacked as chairman of London Transport Users Committee for ‘inappropriate political activity.’




His comment has sparked outrage online, with one writing: ‘What a horrible & disgraceful thing to say. They’re people’s sons, show some respect.’

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Another added: ‘Three lives lost, undoubtedly a traumatised train driver… shame on you for such reckless and thoughtless comments and opinion on a tragedy spare a thought for their families before you type!’

Cooke has since made his Twitter account private.

Three men, one 19-year-old and two 23-year-olds, all from London, are believed to have been hit by an overnight freight train.

He has been slammed online for his comment (Picture: Metro Grab)

Several spray cans were found near the scene, and many have paid tribute to the ‘amazing’ artists, known by their graffiti names Lover, Trip and Kbag.

Friends of the victims wrote online that their ‘art will live on’ adding: ‘(RIP) Rest in Paint.’

Other graffiti artist spray painted a shutter in the area ‘RIP’ with three black hearts underneath.

Mourners also left three bottles of spray paint with the nozzles removed at the scene.

Sources told the Press Association that the incident could have happened overnight, when freight trains run, as the bodies were not spotted until around 7am.

Police carried the bodies away from the train tracks near Loughborough Junction station on Monday (Picture: London News Pictures Ltd)

Spray cans were discovered by the scene (Pictures: AFP)

British Transport Police confirmed that they are currently describing the deaths as ‘unexplained’.

DS Gary Richardson said yesterday: ‘My team are now working hard to understand what happened and how these three people came to lose their life on the railway.

‘My thoughts are with the family and friends of these three people. ‘At this time, we are treating their death as unexplained as we make a number of immediate enquiries.

‘I would ask anyone who was near to Loughborough Junction this morning, and saw something which they think might be relevant, please contact us as soon as possible.’

when I see new tags and graf track side I'm pleasingly reminded that we don't all live in a boring servile society. among the adverts spoonfed to us are small reminders that there are thrills to be had. RIP kbag, lover & trip. thoughts with your families. #LoughboroughJunction — Hieronymous Bosh (@shsmbollocks) June 19, 2018

An absolute horror and utter tragedy. RIP Kbag. RIP Lover. RIP Trip. pic.twitter.com/KVN0O7voBT — Sue Odell (@scorpioredhair) June 19, 2018

RIP Kbag, Lover and Trip ❤️ your art will live on. — Morgan Tb (@morgantbphotog) June 19, 2018

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