Pictured: Melissa Wood, 27, and Christopher Linley, 34, who were found dead at Doncaster Railway Station in South Yorkshire on Tuesday evening
The first pictures of a couple who died after jumping in front of a train while hugging one other have emerged online.
Melissa Wood, 27, and Christopher Linley, 34, from Doncaster, have been identified as the victims found dead at Doncaster Railway Station in South Yorkshire on Tuesday night.
Horrified witnesses described watching the pair leap from the platform in front of a moving train after buying tickets to get past the barriers at the station.
Emergency services attended but were unable to save either of the pair.
Tributes have been pouring in for the pair with Melissa’s devastated father saying a ‘huge gap’ had been left in the hearts of family members.
On social media grieving friends described Melissa as a ‘crazy legend’ who would be ‘missed by all who knew you’.
It is understood the pair were in a relationship and had posted selfies of themselves together in happier times.
Friend Nikki Sidebottom wrote a tribute to her late friend on Facebook: ‘Rest in peace, Melissa. Shocked is an understatement, fly high.’
Another friend Bradley Gratton added beneath the post: ‘And rest in peace, Chris. (It’s) tragic he was a nice lad.’
The pair were in a relationship and often posted pictures of themselves together on social media.
Just over a year ago, Melissa expressed her happiness on Facebook, writing: ‘I have never been so happy in my entire life, I love my home and I have the best guy ever and a massive tub of chocolate loving life always.
‘Rest in peace’: Tributes have been pouring in for Melissa who was described as a ‘crazy legend’ by friends
‘Be happy and do whatever you want, **** whatever anyone else thinks.’
Christopher wrote below: ‘My happiness is easily explained. I have finally found the one person on the face of the planet who is as cool, relaxed and totally into happiness as me.’
According to the Doncaster Free Press, witnesses said the pair embraced and jumped from the platform at the same time.
A British Transport Police spokesman said: ‘Shortly before 8.20pm yesterday evening, officers were called to Doncaster station following reports that two people had been struck by a train.
Pictured: Melissa Wood (left) and with her partner Christopher Linley (right)
Two people have died after ‘jumping in front of a train while hugging’ at Doncaster Railway Station, pictured
‘Officers and paramedics were quickly on scene, however a man and woman were sadly pronounced dead at the scene.
Virgin Trains also confirmed the incident and said trains were cancelled as a result.
Writing on the firm’s official Twitter account, a spokesman said: ‘My heart is broken for all involved in this tragic incident. Services are returning to normal but so much pain will remain.
‘If you have been affected by tonight’s events, please talk to the Samaritans on 116 123.’
- For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK on 116 123, visit a local Samaritans branch or go to www.samaritans.org for details.
Officers said they were still working to identify the victims and inform their next of kin
Virgin Trains East Coast, which runs the station, urged anyone affected by the tragedy to talk to Samaritans