Colin Phoenix laid to rest today

The funeral service and committal will take place at Roselawn Crematorium in Belfast from noon.

Mr Phoenix was hit by a train close to a crossing at Balnamore Road at about 9pm.

Police are investigating but his death is not being treated as suspicious.

Paramedics checked passengers on board the train at the time. None of them were injured and no-one was taken to hospital.

Mr Phoenix lived at Charlotte Street and was a dad of three.

A death notice in Monday’s News Letter read: “Dearly loved husband and best friend of Sandra, devoted father of Hannah, Campbell and Max and dear brother of Carolyn.”

Mr Phoenix’s family asked that if anyone wished to make donations to address them to Autism NI, c/o James McMullan and Son, 22 High Street, Ballymoney.

“Lovingly remembered by the entire family circle,” concluded the death notice.

Trevor Neilands, Director/Chief Executive, of the Northern Regional College, expressed his condolences to Mr Phoenix’s family.

He said: “All of us at Northern Regional College are shocked and deeply saddened by the death of Colin Phoenix.

“As the father of one of our students he played an active role in the college, contributing not just to the educational needs of his son but also as a familiar and welcome face to staff at the Ballymoney campus.

“We would like to pass on our sincerest condolences to the family.”

North Antrim DUP MLA Mervyn Storey said: “This was a very tragic death that has sent a sense of sadness throughout the community.

“I know that local people will want to express their sincere sympathies to the wider family circle at this tragic turn of events that has resulted in this terrible loss of a life.

“I would encourage people to hold the family very much in their prayers.

“Our thoughts are also with the train driver and those passengers who were involved in this tragic incident. I would also pay tribute yet again to our emergency services who without fail respond to accidents such as this with dedication and extreme professionalism.

“The community owes them a great debt of gratitude for the way in which they deal with what are very difficult circumstances.”