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, a former cowman 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."LEVEL CROSSING TRAIN CRASH - RELATED CONTENTAthelney level crossing train crash - video and picturesShocked rail passenger describes 'horrible feeling' after train struck car in fatal level crossing crashLevel crossing safety plea after man's death as car is struck by trainCar 'carried along tracks for a mile' after level crossing train crash in SomersetTrain passengers disembark five hours after man dies in level crossing crashTrain services affected by crash on level crossing near AthelneyOne dead in crash involving car and train at level crossing in SomersetWHERE IT HAPPENED
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