Gareth Delbridge and Michael Lewis were hit by Swansea to Paddington train while working on the lines

This article is more than 1 year old

This article is more than 1 year old

Tributes have been paid to the rail workers who were killed after being struck by a passenger train near Port Talbot.

Kenfig Hill rugby club described Gareth Delbridge, 64, one of the two men who died in the incident on Wednesday, as “an absolutely fantastic guy”.

The other victim has been identified as Michael Lewis, 58. A tribute from his family said Lewis, known as Spike, was “known by everyone, and loved by everyone”.

The two workers were hit by the Swansea to Paddington train near Margam while working on the lines. They died at the scene.

British Transport Police (BTP) said the men were wearing ear defenders and may not have heard the train coming. A third person was treated for shock at the scene but was uninjured.

Delbridge, who was known as Gazzers, was a longstanding member of the rugby club, and Gary Chappell, the club’s treasurer, said his death was “more than devastating”.

Kenfig Hill RFC (@KenfigHillRFC) Tragic news today.



The fatal accident in Margam involving workers from Network Rail included one of our own,

Gareth ‘Gazzers’ Delbridge.



We offer our deepest sympathy to Gareth’s family at this desperately sad time.

He added: “He was an absolutely fantastic guy. He always had a smile on his face. He always had time to say hello to you.”

Chappell added that Delbridge was an “absolute staunch” supporter of Kenfig Hill rugby club, where he was well known.

Ray Giles, the secretary of the club, described Delbridge as “cheerful, never down, always bags of fun … A really, really likable lad [and a] big family man.”

Giles added that Delbridge had been an excellent sportsman when he was younger and it was “such a tragedy to lose someone so dear. We were all just stunned, lost for words, and just grieving at the moment.”

Cardiff Blues rugby club tweeted: “Our thoughts are with you all and all of Gareth’s friends and family at this very sad time.” Dozens of other rugby clubs expressed their condolences on Twitter.

BTP said an investigation into the deaths was continuing.

“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,” said Supt Andy Morgan.

Union leaders have demanded answers and the suspension of all similar works until the full circumstances of the incident are established.

The Rail Accident Investigation Branch had recently said there were “too many near-misses in which railway workers have had to jump for their lives”.