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Father is killed by train as he tries to retrieve gifts for his family
Valentine Low, Evening Standard15 May 2008
A father died falling from a train as he tried to jump back onboard to retrieve presents for his family.
City worker David Davies had leapt on to a ledge between carriages after realising he had left an expensive toy car for his son and flowers for his wife on a seat.
The train doors shut as the 38-yearold tried to get back to the carriage and he was crushed under the wheels after slipping from the ledge.
His wife Shelley today paid tribute to her husband, adding he was a great father to three-year-old son Daniel.
Mrs Davies, 39, said: "Dave did a crazy thing for me and Daniel and it cost him his life. I have lost my best friend and the love of my life. Daniel has lost a fantastic dad. But I know what he did was out of love for me and Daniel."
Mr Davies, a printing account manager, was making his way home to Bexleyheath, Kent, on the 4.33pm from Charing Cross last Friday. He had missed his usual stop before getting off at Barnehurst at 5.15pm.
It was only when he was walking across the station's footbridge that he realised he had left the gifts for his family on board the train. Mr Davies raced back but just as he got to the train, the doors automatically closed. Commuters said they saw him banging on the window before jumping in between the two carriages in a desperate bid to hold on.
Moments later he slipped, fell under the train and was killed.
Mrs Davies said he brought home gifts for her and Daniel every week.
"He phoned me at 4pm that day and told Daniel that he had gone to Hamleys and bought him an expensive toy car that he had wanted for ages. It wasn't just any toy," she said.
"Daniel was over the moon, really excited and Dave knew that. That's why he was so desperate to get the gift back. He had made a promise to his son and wanted to keep it."
She added: "Dave had fallen asleep and missed his stop. When he woke up at Barnehurst he just quickly got off, not really knowing where he was.
"It was only then that he realised he had left the gifts on board. What he did was a crazy, stupid mistake - but in my heart I know he was only thinking of his family, as always."
Mrs Davies said she is still struggling to tell her son what happened and the pair "hug for Dave" before bed.
Parents Kathy and Tony Davies, also from Bexleyheath, said: "David always thought of his family first and this is what killed him."
A spokesman for British Transport Police said: "It's 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."
