BBC Radio presenter Kelly Jobanputra dies after being hit by a train

Kelly Jobanputra, also known by her maiden name Stooke, who had worked at BBC Radio 6 Music as a presenter and producer has been killed after being hit by a train last Friday.

Kelly, who was 39 and from from Swindon, left home last Friday afternoon to go shopping but never returned. She died after being struck on the line between Swindon and Didcot Parkway.

Describing it as a ‘tragic accident’, her father John Stooke said: “We are completely and utterly bereft to lose such a vibrant, attractive, courageous and well-loved family member at such a very young age.

“She was in good spirits when she left at lunchtime to go to Asda.

“It seems that, whilst the circumstances are not at all clear, this may well have been, in the end, an unintended and tragic accident.

“Our thoughts are not solely with the devastation to our own family. We also believe the train driver was naturally traumatised and he or she also remains very much in our thoughts and prayers.”

A spokesman for the British Transport Police said: “At 2:14pm on Friday, April 26, officers were called to the railway close to Swindon station after reports of a casualty on the tracks.

“Paramedics also attended, however a woman was sadly pronounced dead at the scene. Her family have been informed.

“This incident is not currently being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner.”

Kelly was married to husband Vikesh and had spent 15 years working for BBC local radio before moving to 6 Music in London. She also wrote for Swindon Web, the Swindon Advertiser and 365 Bristol, and worked in marketing at the British Computing Society before her death.

The family have asked to be left alone while they grieve for Kelly and for any speculation about how her life ended to be avoided until the inquest establishes the facts of the incident.