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Father killed by train as he leapt back onboard to retrieve present for his son
Last updated at 14:07pm on 17.05.08A devoted father died under a train after he tried to jump back on board to retrieve some presents for his family he had left on the seat.
David Davies got off the train without picking up flowers for his wife and a toy car he had bought his three-year-old son.
He ran back to try to stop the train by banging on the windows but the driver did not see him.
In a moment of madness, he then tried to jump from the platform on to a ledge between two carriages.
But the train was pulling away and he slipped, fell beneath it and was killed instantly.
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Family man: Mr Davies with his son Daniel and his wife Shelley. He bought them a gift each week
Mr Davies, 38, who worked in the City of London, had forgotten the gifts for his wife Shelley and son Daniel when he rushed off the train after waking up and realising that he should have got off at the previous stop.
"Dave did a crazy thing for me and Daniel and it cost him his life," said Mrs Davies, 39, yesterday. "I have lost my best friend and the love of my life."
She said Daniel had "lost a fantastic Daddy" and added: "I know what he did was out of love for me and Daniel."
Mrs Davies, a nutrition consultant, said that her husband bought her and Daniel a gift every week. She said he had called home that day to say he had been to Hamleys toy shop in Regent Street and bought Daniel a toy car that he had wanted for a long time.
"Daniel was over the moon, really excited and Dave knew that," said Mrs Davies. "That is why he was so desperate to get the gift back. He had made a promise to his son and wanted to keep it."
Printing account manager Mr Davies had been on his way home to Bexleyheath, on the 4.33pm London Charing Cross to Crayford service last Friday when he fell asleep.
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Leap: Barnehurst Station where Mr Davies fell under a train
The car he bought Daniel is believed to have been a toy Smart car, costing £19.99.
The boy's mother drives a real-life Smart car.
When he awoke at Barnehurst he ran off the train, realising he had missed his stop.
He was walking across a footbridge from platform two to one when he remembered he had left the gifts on board.
He ran back to the train but the doors had already closed. Commuters said they saw him banging on the windows before jumping between two carriages.
Mrs Davies said: "What he did was a crazy, stupid mistake - but in my heart I know he was only thinking of his family, as always."
She added: "At night now, Daniel and I kiss first then we have a kiss and a hug for Dave. There is now a huge void in our lives."
Mr Davies's parents Kathy and Tony, from Bexleyheath, paid tribute to their son last night.
His mother said: "David was a great son, father and husband. He saw the good in everyone and was always there with a joke and a smile.
"He worked in the advertising and printing world and was known throughout the industry. David always thought of his family first and this is what killed him. We are absolutely devastated and don't know how we will ever get over this tragic, tragic accident."
At the station there was tribute from a witness to the accident. It said: "I tried to stop you from running after the train, but didn't get the words out in time. I'm so sorry."
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "It is one of the most tragic and distressing cases I've dealt with and just goes to show how dangerous trains can be if you are not careful."
Reader views (12)
Here's a sample of the latest views published. You can click view all to read all views that readers have sent in.
To Dave's wife and family,
You don't know me, but I was lucky enough to know Dave for at least....blimey, it's got to be 15 years, minimum. We kept bumping into each other in Soho over the years (I work in advertising as well) and it may sound cliched, but as you know, it's true: I wept with laughter every time we met. He was always, always in a funny, upbeat mood, talking about Charlton, slagging off my beloved Newcastle Utd - and just generally a great, nice, funny, polite person to be around and know. The guy I worked with were also lucky enough to have several drinks with Dave over the years - mainly in The White Horse on Newburgh Street - where he would hold forth on all and any subjects in the world, but with a wit that left us both helpless with laughter. I hope you get to read this so it I can say how terribly terribly sorry I am for your loss, but know (I'm sure you do already, of course) that you have lost, and we have, a wonderful wonderful human being. What other people are saying about the world being ever so much more quiet without people like Dave around is true. Once again, I'm sorry for your loss and deepest condolences to you all.
- Jonathan Eley, London
I wasn't being heartless, as I stated, I think this is tragic. I only meant that I did not understand the news report as I didn't know what he was trying to hold on to. It was the report, and not Dave that I was referring to.
However, I understand your loss, so apologise for any upset caused.
- Smb, UK
I was lucky enough to know Dave and no one has ever made me laugh as much he did, with his wicked sense of humour. He was an extraordinarily giving and loving man, who loved his wife and son and family to bits and was very special and generous. He will be sorely missed, and I shall always remember him with a smile. There will be a lot of fun going on in heaven right now with him up there
- Nicola, Shooters Hill
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