Heartbroken mum pays tribute to popular Wigan dad Aden Ashurst who died on the railway

Jean Ashurst spoke of the devastation felt by relatives and work colleagues alike at 51-year-old Aden's loss.
Aden AshurstAden Ashurst
Aden Ashurst

Emergency services were called to reports of a casualty on the tracks at a site in Northamptonshire just before 11am on April 8. Sadly Aden was pronounced dead at the scene.

Mrs Ashurst, who lives on Gidlow Lane, spoke of Aden's close-knit bond with his two younger brothers Craig and Lee and how he was devoted to his two-year-old daughter Layla.

He also has a 12-year-old son, Michael.

Aden graduating with his parents Tom and Jean and brother CraigAden graduating with his parents Tom and Jean and brother Craig
Aden graduating with his parents Tom and Jean and brother Craig
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Aden had been working for AmcoGiffen having graduated from Wigan and Leigh College as a civil engineer about four years ago, and had also recently bought his own home on Park Road close to both Mesnes Park and the railway line.

Mrs Ashurst said being able to look after his daughter at weekends was something Aden had wanted for many years.

She also described how his fun-loving personality had left a huge hole in the lives of both his family and his fellow railway workers.

Mrs Ashurst, 72, said: "We're absolutely devastated. His youngest brother is just in bits.

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"Because he worked away I keep thinking he's at work. It's not really hit me yet that he's not coming back.

"One of his railway colleagues dropped his stuff off and said work just isn't the same without him. He said that even if Aden was feeling miserable or down he would just make everyone laugh.

"He had Layla every weekend and he absolutely idolised her. He lived for her. He was thrilled to bits when he got his little girl and it's such a shame he won't get the pleasure of seeing her grow up.

"Everywhere he went he was always acting the fool. Whenever the three brothers were together they would always be digging each other on the arm and mucking about."

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Heartbreakingly Mrs Ashurst says she has not even been able to tell her husband Tom, 76, of his son's death as he is suffering from dementia and lives in a care home.

However, she says she has been overwhelmed by the response from people who knew Aden to the tragic news.

She said: "I've got about eight bouquets of flowers and millions of cards. The phone is going day and night.

"We used to have pubs and one of the landlords brought a lovely picture of me and Aden he had had framed .

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"Aden's colleagues on the railway, who I've never even met, have also been fantastic.

"It just shows what they all thought of him."

Aden's former workmates held a three-minute silence for him.

The family have also posted a number of pictures and videos on social media, including one of Aden dancing on a train to Southport to entertain his fellow passengers.

Mrs Ashurst said Aden also loved gardening and cycling and was in the process of building an outdoor bar at his new home.

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Currently, with severe funeral restrictions in place due to coronavirus, it is not certain how exactly Aden's family will be able to say their final goodbyes to him.

However, Mrs Ashurst says a large memorial event is being planned once the pandemic is over.

"It is what he would have wanted," she said.