Tributes to train tragedy man

A man who died when he was hit by a train on a Shropshire railway line was today named as 23-year-old father-of-one Nathan Chard.

Mr Chard, of Marshbrook, near Church Stretton, lived with his partner Holly Williams, 21, and their 18-month-old son Ashton. They had planned to marry.

Mr Chard died yesterday when he was hit by an Arriva Trains Manchester to Milford Haven service train near Church Stretton. The incident happened at about 10am and is not being treated as suspicious.

Today Mr Chard's brother Daran said the family was shocked and inconsolable. He said Mr Chard's parents, Jayne and Trevor Chard, were devastated at the loss of their son.

Daran said his brother was a father to Ashton, 18 months, and partner to Holly, whom he had known for many years.

He added: "Nathan's mother-in-law-to-be and father-in-law-to-be, Kay and Phil Williams, of Marshbrook, are devastated.

"His younger brother, Tom, and sister, Natalie are also deeply distressed."

Daran, Mr Chard's older brother, added that the incident had deeply shocked his own partner, Lucy, and their three children Joshua, Mackenzie and Maddison.

He said: "Nathan was well known and attended Church Stretton School. He worked for several years at Church Stretton's Co-Op store and was popular with customers and colleagues alike.

"He was also a well-known sportsman. We played football together.

"He played for Church Stretton Magpies as a boy and then played for the under-18s. After that he played for the Church Stretton Sunday team, where I was assistant manager.

"He was popular and well-known. "He will be missed by his family and by all those who knew him. We are inconsolable."

Gavin Brown, of British Transport Police, said the incident was not being treated as suspicious.

South Shropshire coroner Tony Sibcy has been informed and an inquest will take place at a later date.