ES News email The latest headlines in your inbox twice a day Monday - Friday plus breaking news updates Enter your email address Continue Please enter an email address Email address is invalid Fill out this field Email address is invalid You already have an account. Please log in Register with your social account or click here to log in I would like to receive lunchtime headlines Monday - Friday plus breaking news alerts, by email Update newsletter preferences

The wife of a hero Londoner killed by a Tube train as he tried to pull his younger brother from the tracks today paid tribute to a “perfect” husband as she told of being “beyond heartbroken”.

Nick Mann, 35, a journalist and music writer, was killed as he tried to save his brother Robert, 32, from an oncoming train amid a report he had jumped down to retrieve a wallet or a phone.

Nick tried to pull his brother to safety but suffered severe head injuries when a Northern line train ploughed into them both at Old Street station at 12.20am on Sunday.

Both men were taken to the Royal Free Hospital where Nick was pronounced dead.

Robert, who lives in Manchester, was today fighting for life in intensive care where his condition was described as critical but stable.

Today, Nick’s wife Jennifer Kavanagh, who he lived with in Colliers Wood, told the Standard: “Nick was the perfect husband. I am beyond heartbroken.

“We met in Manchester, where he went to university, and has many friends there too.

“He was kind, gentle, funny and so considerate. He had hundreds of friends in London, which we’ve called home since 2007.

“We have been on lots of adventures together overseas and had many more planned. He was born in Leeds but grew up in Shrewsbury.

“Nick was a journalist and press officer. He was passionate about writing and was so intelligent. He loved music, especially hardcore and punk, and went to many gigs.

“He also loved his football team, Shrewsbury Town, and followed them home and away. He’d been to watch them at Portsmouth on Saturday with his brother Rob.”

The two brothers were returning home from a heavy metal music night after watching a football match earlier in the day when the accident happened.

The journalist’s father-in-law today described him as a “lovely” lad who was full of life with a love of music and football.

Alan Kavanagh, speaking at his family home in Berkshire, said: “He was a wonderful lad and we were all proud of him. We are all devastated and cannot believe this has happened. He had been with his brother Robert over the weekend and they had watched football together. He loved music and was a loving caring family person. We are all going to miss him so much.”

Nick worked as a senior reporter for trade websites and from 2001 to 2014 edited A Short Fanzine About Rocking (ASFAR), described in the industry as one of the UK’s most influential alternative music fanzines.

Friends today paid tribute to Nick, remembering him as “one of the friendliest, most humble people.”

One said : “If you knew Nick Mann then you’ll know what a great guy he was, a tragic loss for the music community. Mosh in heaven mate.”

Friend Murray Fullerton said: “I am absolutely speechless. Hearing about the passing of Nick Mann has cast a shadow that will take some time to lift. Someone who was genuine, kind and funny and someone I am privileged to have had the chance to spend time with.”

Musician Willy O’Shea, said: “It doesn’t seem right or fair. I was drinking with him outside the show, like half hour before the incident... Life can be so cold. We’ve lost one of the good ones.”

Neighbour Svetoslav Minkin, 45, a physiotherapist, said: “It is a tragedy. Nick and Jen were the nicest couple and seemed so in love. They were always smiling and happy.”

British Transport Police said: “This was a tragic accident and we are still trying to establish exactly what happened.”