Mr Downey's actions in the 2001 fatal explosion were praised

Kevin Downey was taken to hospital but died from burns injuries last Tuesday.

The 49-year-old's family said they had lost a "great family man" and thanked his colleagues and hospital staff for their efforts in trying to save him.

Police and health and safety officials are investigating the accident and Corus is also running its own inquiry.

Mr Downey, who was married with a son and daughter, was dubbed a "hero" by colleagues and the local press for his actions following an explosion at the plant which killed three men in 2001.

He was said to have been pivotal in shutting the furnace down after the explosion five years ago and making the area safe.

He was a very much loved husband and father who was looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild Family statement

Stephen Galsworthy, who was 25, Andrew Hutin, 20, and Len Radford, 53, died following the 2001 incident.

In the early hours of 25 April, Mr Downey fell into a piece of equipment known as a "slag runner" while working in blast furnace number four.

He suffered massive burns and was taken to the burns unit at Morriston Hospital in Swansea but later died.

In a statement released on Tuesday his family said Mr Downey's daughter Carrie was expecting and he had been looking forward to the birth of his first grandchild.

"Terrible shock"

Since his death they had discovered his son Karl, who also works for Corus, was also expecting a child with his partner.

"Kevin's death has come as a terrible shock to us," said the family.

"He was a very much loved husband and father.

"Those who knew him know of his great sense of fun and his fanatical support for Liverpool FC. He was a great family man who will be sadly missed by us all.

"We would like to thank his colleagues who helped him immediately after the accident and also the staff at Morriston Hospital who did all they could for Kevin."