Tunnel fire victim laid to rest

Mr Lynch's colleagues described him as "a hero"

One of the two railwaymen who died when fire broke out on a maintenance train on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link was laid to rest on Friday afternoon.

Engine driver Douglas Lynch, 50, from Folkestone, lost his fight for life on 20 August - four days after the fire.

The blaze started a mile inside a tunnel under the River Thames between Swanscombe, Kent, and Thurrock, Essex.

Mr Lynch's family invited all those who knew him to a service at St Saviour's Church in his home town.

His wife Denise and sons Michael and Stephen said they had wanted everyone who knew or worked with him to attend the ceremony.

90% burns

The fire on 16 August was on a train carrying cables used in the construction of a new line linking Gravesend to London St Pancras.

It is believed that Mr Lynch stayed with the train to prevent a major incident for which his colleagues have called him "a hero".

His wife described him as "the most safety conscious man you could meet".

Mr Lynch suffered 90% burns to his body and was taken to Darent Valley Hospital, Dartford, before being transferred to the burns unit at Broomfield Hospital, but passed away four days later.

A railway shunter died at the scene.

More than 50 firefighters fought to put out the blaze.

An investigation into the cause has been launched.