The family of a heroic pensioner who laid down his life to save a friend from railway tracks have spoken of their pride - and devastation.

Retired academic David Ashworth, 74, was killed instantly when he was hit by a train while trying to rescue 38-year-old Ella Akehurst from the line at Chartham station.

She was airlifted to hospital after the tragedy unfolded just before before 11am yesterday, and remains in a serious but stable condition.

Mr Ashworth, who lived in Rowan Close, Sturry, has been hailed a hero.

His family said: "We are very proud of our father's actions in saving the life of a young lady and clearly devastated at the loss of his life in doing so.

"Our thoughts are with the young lady, her family, and the train driver and we would like to add that we request privacy at this difficult time."

Mr Ashworth had been a friend of Ms Akehurst's family for more than 30 years.

In a statement, her brother Luke said: "We are devastated by the death of David Ashworth who was a much-loved friend of our family and had been part of our lives for three decades.

"He was a kind, caring and totally selfless person and that he lost his life heroically saving Ella's life is a tragedy. Our thoughts are with his family."

British Transport Police are investigating, but confirmed they are not treating the death as suspicious.

Witness Michael Kember looked on in horror as Ms Akehurst, who lives in the village, dropped from a bridge over the line followed by Mr Ashworth.

Mr Kember, 44, described the man as a "hero" and said there was nothing the driver of the train could have done to prevent the tragedy.

The accident involved the 10.22am Ramsgate to Charing Cross service, which was not due to stop at Chartham.

Shaken Mr Kember, who has given a statement to police, was on the platform waiting for another train when he watched the events unfold.

"The man couldn't get her off and he was then trying to get to the end of the platform but did not make it and that was when the accident happened..." - eyewitness Michael Kember

"The lady had been on the bridge over the line and then jumped off it," he said.

"The man then jumped down and was trying to get her off. While he was doing that you could hear the electric rail buzzing meaning that the train was coming.

"You could hear the driver was sounding the horn and the brakes of the train were squealing.

"The man couldn't get her off and he was then trying to get to the end of the platform but did not make it and that was when the accident happened.

"The bloke was a hero. It's just so unfortunate that this happened to someone trying to rescue another person. There was no way the driver could have stopped the train.

“It soon became very chaotic with people trying to help and the emergency services arriving.

"It was a real shaker."

British Transport Police are continuing to investigate the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

A spokesman said today: "I can confirm a man who died following an incident near Chartham rail station on Tuesday is believed to be 74-years-old and from the Canterbury area.

"A woman, aged 38, also from Canterbury, was also struck by a train. She was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, where her condition remains serious but stable.

"Both families have been informed."

Access to the village from Ashford Road was shut off for more than four hours yesterday.

British Transport Police spokesman Glyn Hellam said at the time: “Shortly before 10.55am, our officers were called to the line near to Chartham rail station following reports of a person having been struck by a train.

“Officers attended, alongside colleagues from Kent Police and South East Coast Ambulance Service, and discovered two people – a man and a woman – had been struck by a train.

“Sadly the man died as a result of his injuries, the woman is receiving treatment at the scene.

“Officers are now working to determine the exact circumstances of the incident which is currently being treated as unexplained and are calling on anyone with information to get in touch on 0800 405040, quoting log 183 of 16/6/15.”

Passengers were forced to stay on the train for as long as an hour after the incident.

Stephanie Karpetas, 53, from Deal, was travelling to London to see a lecture.

She said: “The train stopped abruptly just past Chartham station. I heard the driver shout out in shock, but I didn’t really worry.

“Then everything was quiet. After a while, we didn’t move. I noticed lots of people were looking behind the level crossing and it became clear something had happened.

“We were on the train for nearly an hour, I think, before everything was settled enough for us to get off.

“We saw an air ambulance arrive. We were asked politely to stay calm until we could get off the train.”

Alan Glicksman, 63, from Broadstairs, was on his way to London with his wife for a hospital appointment.

He said: “We felt a jolt. Suddenly the brakes came on hard. We didn’t really know what had been hit until we saw all the paramedics that came onto the train.

“Until we actually got off the train we didn’t know it had been a serious accident.

“The amount of hi-vis vests about is unbelievable. I just feel sorry for those involved.”

The track was closed until about 2.30pm and Southeastern ran a replacement bus service between Canterbury West and Ramsgate.

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