The teenage Good Samaritans killed by a train after protecting girl from bullies

Shaun Barnes and Luther Storr, both 17, had been on a night out when they saw a friend's sister being attacked by bullies.

They stepped in to rescue 14-year-old Ruby Pateman and see her off safely on the last train from King's Lynn, Norfolk. But the delay meant the Good Samaritans missed a promised lift home and, with no more trains running, they faced a six-mile walk.

They chose the most direct route – along the railway line. But the friends never arrived in the Norfolk village of Watlington.

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The following morning, their bodies were spotted by a train driver about two miles short of their destination. They are believed to have been hit by a high-speed train which would have come on them from behind.

The tragedy on Friday night has devastated friends and relatives. Ruby Pateman's brother Jack, 18, a car valeter, said: "My sister was on the last train and Louie and Barnsey pulled these girls off. Then they stopped the girls getting back on that train until the doors closed.

"They sorted out all my sister's issues and I'm very thankful for that."

His sister, Claire, 24, added: "My little sister was getting beaten up. Louie and the other boy stepped in and broke the fight up. They saw her away safely and said they would get a lift home later."

Shaun's mother, Lynne Lazenby, said: "Shaun was the life and soul of the party and he loved hanging out with his friends. He was very popular and liked music, football and just mucking around with the lads.

"Shaun's little brothers really looked up to him and they, along with his older brother, are devastated by this tragedy."

Luther, an engineering student, grew up in Watlington but had recently moved to King's Lynn.

His mother Barbara Halliday said: "His brothers and sisters are devastated but we are pulling together as a family to support each other.

"He was a lovable rogue who had lots of friends and everybody seemed to know him. He was into rap music and had recently started an engineering course. He had his whole life in front of him and will be sadly missed."

Flowers and messages have been taped to the gates of Watlington station in memory of the teenagers.

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One message said: "We are going to miss you so much. You will always live on, in our hearts and memories."

Another tribute, signed Danny, said: "What am I going to do now you are gone? Hope you remember all the good times we had together."

The Rev James Nolan, rector of the village's St Peter and St Paul church, said the deaths had cast "a sombre and sad cloud" over the whole community.

He added: "They both had bright visions and aspirations. It's just devastating when they are so young."

British Transport Police said post mortem examinations had confirmed that the boys died from injuries consistent with being hit by a train. They were found near the village of Wiggenhall St Germans.

Detective Inspector David Aiton added: "Their deaths are being treated as non-suspicious and the investigation is continuing into why they were on the railway that night.

"We have reviewed CCTV footage and spoken with several witnesses who were with them in the hours before the tragic accident.

"Both were socialising in King's Lynn earlier in the night and we are very keen to speak with anyone who may have been in their company or has information that may assist our investigation."