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Hounslow death: Tributes paid to man who died at west London station after police chase

<p>Officers look at tributes left outside Hounslow station. Right: Jef Saker</p> (John Dunne/Handout)

Officers look at tributes left outside Hounslow station. Right: Jef Saker

(John Dunne/Handout)

Tributes have been paid to a father-of-two who died on a railway line following a police chase in west London.

The police watchdog is investigating after the man, named by friends as Jef Saker, died at Hounslow station in the early hours of Tuesday morning.

It is thought he tried to flee across the live rail tracks after crashing his car into a barrier outside the station while being pursued by officers.

The cause of death has not been revealed. Friends of Mr Saker gathered at the station on Wednesday to lay flowers and pay tribute to the “true gentleman”.

One friend, Allan Wilcox, told the Standard: “He was a diamond a bloke with a big heart. He was a bit of a Del Boy and everyone loved him. We want a full investigation into how this happened.”

John Dunne
John Dunne

Another said: “On your worst day if you are down he will be there for you, he lit up a room. He was one in a million.”

Scotland Yard said that, just after midnight on Tuesday, officers began pursuing a car that failed to stop in Powder Mill Lane, Twickenham, about a mile away from Hounslow station.

“A short while later a male decamped from the vehicle and ran onto a nearby railway line off Whitton Road in Hounslow,” a statement read.

Mr Saker, a father to two boys, was pronounced dead just after 12.20am.

Handout
Handout

Another friend said: “He was the loveliest guy, he would do anything for anyone.

“He helped out those who needed support, he was a true gentleman. I loved his beaming smile. He didn’t deserve to die like this, we need answers.”

The Independent Office for Police Conduct has launched an investigation into the death, and the Met’s Directorate of Professional Standards is also investigating the incident.

A resident previously told the Standard: “I heard police screaming for a man to stop. He crashed into a barrier, I think his car was a BMW. I heard the screaming then a train came through and then silence. It was horrific.”

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