THE family of a Hampshire man who died after being taken ill on a train have praised those who tried to save him.

Barry Emery, 69, was with his wife Mary when he collapsed on a train from Southampton Central to Salisbury on Monday evening.

Despite efforts to save him, Mr Emery was pronounced dead after being taken to Southampton General Hospital by ambulance.

Now his family have paid tribute to the former Eastleigh railway worker, who was a well-known face in the Romsey community.

As reported, Mr Emery, of Woodley, was taken ill at about 4pm, prompting the train to stop at Millbrook station for the emergency services to enter the train.

A passenger trained in first aid was the first to try to save Mr Emery before paramedics boarded the train.

Mr Emery was put on to an ambulance, where paramedics spent nearly 40 minutes treating him.

But his son Scott Emery confirmed that his father died at 5.02pm after arriving at hospital.

Scott, from Green Lane, Maybush, said that his father was returning home from Derby after celebrating his birthday with his sister at the weekend.

He said: “He just collapsed on the train on the way home to Romsey. He had a funny turn and that was it.

“There was a lady on the train, her name was Janet and she was a trained first aider. She was the first person to help my mum and the guard on the train helped too.

“The transport police were called and PC Davis stayed with my mum until they got to the hospital but sadly my dad died before I got there.”

Scott added: “I’d like to thank all the staff at the hospital. There was 50 minutes of CPR, so there was a lot of work on him.”

Part of Millbrook Road in the westbound direction was blocked as the emergency services attended the scene.

Officers had to close the road at one point to allow ambulances and police cars to leave the scene.

Scott added: “The family are devastated. The family would like to thank everyone, they were fantastic.

“He was just a really good family man.

“He was known by everyone in the area. He was always out the back talking to everyone in the street.

“Pretty much everyone around here knew him.”