As the investigation continues into what caused a train to hit a car at Great Coates level crossing on Tuesday, killing two men, moving tributes have been paid by relatives of the devoted family men.
ONE of the men killed on the level crossing at Great Coates was due to be married, it has been revealed.
David Williams, 40, of Cleethorpes, was the passenger in the Volvo being driven by Paul Hodge, 47, of Sutcliffe Avenue, Grimsby, when it was struck by a train on Tuesday.
Mr Williams, who worked on Immingham Docks, died a short while after the crash at 7.35pm as he was taken to hospital by East Midlands Ambulance Service.
He was due to marry Carolyn Woodward, who paid tribute to her fiancé, calling him her "rock".
She said: "I am so devastated at the loss of my most gorgeous partner, Dave.
"He was my rock, my best friend, the most caring man I have ever known."
She said he loved family life and was devoted to the little ones.
"We only moved to the area last January from Blackpool and Dave loved it here," she said.
"He enjoyed working at the Immingham Docks and made a lot of friends.
"He was a very friendly person, everyone loved Dave. We thought we would have a lot more years together.
"We have a dog that was more than fond of Dave, which he had trained to do tricks.
"Dave was a very patient man and he devoted his life to us.
"Life is going to be so empty without him. I will love him forever and I send my condolences to Paul's family and friends."
Mr Hodge was a transport driver at South Killingholme.
His family paid tribute to a much-loved family man.
"Paul was a loving father, grandfather, son and brother and will be dearly missed by everyone who knew and loved him," said his family.
"He was born in Grimsby and returned here after leaving the Forces.
"He was an avid football fan and followed Manchester United. He also served with the First Battalion the Royal Regiment of Fusiliers.
"Paul will be very sadly missed by all those who knew him and this has come with tragic and devastating shock to all of his family and friends.
"We would like to express our sincere gratitude for all the messages of sympathy and support we have received and respectfully ask for privacy during this extremely difficult time."
As reported, the train involved was the 7.26pm TransPennine Express service from Cleethorpes to Scunthorpe.
The train remained upright and on the tracks at the Great Coates automatically controlled half-barrier crossing.
There were no injuries to passengers or the driver and all were safely removed from the train.
Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Mick Jackson, of the British Transport Police, said: "Our thoughts are very much with Paul and David's families at this extremely sad and difficult time.
"We continue to keep an open mind and investigations are continuing to establish the full circumstances surrounding this incident, and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch has been informed."
The incident has prompted much discussion about railway line safety.
Neil Pawson, 27, of Grimsby, contacted the Telegraph to say how he had called for the level crossing to be turned into a rail bridge with a tunnel for road traffic several years ago.
He said: "I used the road for about six years and there were at least nine times that either the lights were flashing and there was no barrier, or there was a barrier and no flashing lights. Sometimes the only way you knew there was a train coming was when the driver sounded the horn."
He added: "I have spoken to Hoggy (Paul Hodge) on a couple of occasions. I knew he used the route as well. It is a terrible tragedy."
