Emily Webster was thrown from her seat as the carriage span

Emily Webster, from Moretonhampstead, Devon, was one of seven people killed when the train derailed after it hit a stationary car on a level crossing.

Her father, property developer Peter Webster, said his daughter would be alive if high-speed trains were fitted with seatbelts.

Mr Webster, 49, and Emily, 14, were returning from a treat in London.

Mr Webster described the two "harrowing" hours he spent with his daughter lying dead beside him.

I tried to dig her out and dig the stones away from her but knew fairly quickly that she was not alive Peter Webster

He said: "The train left the line violently and the carriage spun around like a spin drier.

"As soon as the lights came back on it was clear to me that she was trapped under a pile of stones.

"Always in those circumstances there is a certain amount of hope.

"I tried to dig her out and dig the stones away from her but knew fairly quickly that she was not alive."

Mr Webster had asked First Great Western why high speed trains are not fitted with seatbelts.

'No doubt'

But he was told the issue had been considered, but dismissed because it was believed too few people would use them.

Mr Webster said: "I have no doubt whatsoever that a very simple lap belt would have prevented Emily from being flung from her seat."

School friends of Emily at Maynard's Girls School in Exeter intend to start a book of remembrance.

A pupil who was travelling with Emily was also hurt in the crash, but was said to be making a good recovery.

The school's head, Dr Daphne West, suffered a head injury in the crash and is not expected to return to the school until next week.

The 1735 First Great Western service from London Paddington to Plymouth collided with the car on the track between Newbury and Reading at about 1815 GMT on Saturday. About 71 people were injured.