Barry Strevens leaves a partner and four children

Barry Strevens, 55, of Wells, died when the First Great Western service hit a car on an unmanned level crossing near Reading last Saturday.

A family statement said: "Barry was a wonderfully kind, generous and gentle man with a vibrant sense of humour.

"His sparkling personality radiated warmth and love."

Mr Strevens leaves a partner, Jacqueline, and two young sons, Ollie, aged two and Toby, just five months old; he also had two grown-up daughters from a previous relationship.

He used to commute regularly to London from Castle Cary station, and had an expert interest in Eastern astrology and studied meditation.

Tributes

People in Wells have spoken of their shock to learn a local man was among the crash victims.

Mike Robertshaw paid tribute to the family, who have rented their home from him for about two years.

He said: "They are just very nice people, with two wonderful children, you couldn't hope to meet two nicer people.

"I'm sure that Jackie, being a good mother, will be concentrating on giving their children all the love they need."

He said Jacqueline heard of her husband's death while taking their son Ollie to hospital with an asthma attack.

The mayor of Wells, Harvey Siggs, said: "St Thomas' is a fairly close community. Mr Strevens was somebody who fitted in.

"All of us realise our own mortality when something like this happens. It's a tragedy which at first doesn't touch you, then you realise it could've been so many of us."

Work to clear the wreckage of a train began under spot lights on Monday night, with the rear engine being lifted onto a flatbed structure.

Police are investigating whether the car driver, Brian Drysdale, 48, from Reading, intended to commit suicide.

The others who died in the crash were, train driver Stanley Martin, 54, from Torquay; Anjanette Rossi, 38, and her daughter Louella Main, 9; Emily Webster, 14, from Moretonhampstead, Devon; and Leslie Charles Matthews, known as Charlie, 72, from Warminster in Wiltshire.