The motorist who died after his car was in collision with a train at a level crossing in Somerset lived less than a mile away, on the same country road on which he met his death.
He was named yesterday as Dennis William France, aged 65, of Currymoor, Curload, Stoke St Gregory, near Taunton.
Mr France, worked for Debenhams department store in Taunton and was due to retire this week. He lived alone in the hamlet which had been his home for many years.
He died after his car was in collision with the Exeter to Paddington train on the Stanmoor Road crossing near Athelney shortly before 6.30am last Thursday. Train staff, including the driver, say the half barrier was already closing when the red car went onto the tracks.
An inquest into Mr France's death was opened and adjourned by West Somerset Coroner Michael Rose yesterday. The cause of death was given as traumatic injuries.
Heather Venn, chairman of Stoke St Gregory Parish Council, spoke later of the shock felt by the community at Mr France's death.
"We used to live in Curload and know some of his neighbours and know he will be missed," she said. "It was a great shock to everyone to hear what had happened. We have had no concerns raised about the crossing at the parish council in the last few years. I understand that it was once fully gated but that is simply what I have been told. It is a crossing that we as a family use regularly and it has never been a problem.
"It has been a very tragic thing for the village with significant knock-on effect and I am very concerned for the train driver and for the witness. They have a lifetime legacy."
A Debenhams spokesman said: We are deeply saddened by the news of Dennis France's death. Dennis worked at the Debenhams offices in Taunton for almost 20 years. He was an extremely popular and valued member of the company and will be missed."
The train involved was the 0546hrs Exeter to London Paddington service. An estimated 40 passengers were aboard the nine-carriage train.
Amongst the passengers were students from Exeter ISCA college of media arts.
Denis, aged 15, told the BBC: "We were talking through some questions on the train to Radio 1 at about 7am, and we heard a loud bang.
"We were all told to go into the first class carriages where we were informed that the train had struck a car."
