The father of a teenager who was killed by a train in an apparent suicide pact with a school friend has spoken of his grief.
The 18-year-old, named in reports as Mert Karaoglan, and a 15-year-old girl, believed to be Charleigh Disbrey, died after being hit by a First Capital Connect (FCC) service near Elstree and Borehamwood station in Hertfordshire on Monday night.
Flowers laid outside school gates
Last night Mert's father, named by the Sun as Sakru, 48, spoke of his confusion and grief at his son's death. He told the newspaper Mert had been watching TV in Borehamwood when he said he was "going out for one or two hours".
He said: "We told him not to be out late. We were waiting and waiting. Then the police came round to see us at nine this morning. I can't stop crying."
He added: "He was a happy person - everything seemed okay."
Mert, reportedly a budding film-maker, and Charleigh, an aspiring musician, were killed shortly before 9pm on Monday after being struck 200 yards from Elstree and Borehamwood station by an empty passenger train travelling from St Albans to Sutton.
At least one suicide note is believed to have been found at the scene, it was reported, and British Transport Police (BTP) was not treating the deaths as suspicious.
The pair, from Borehamwood, attended the local Hertswood Academy, where Mert was in Year 13 and Charleigh in Year 10.
The academy's head teacher, Peter Gillett, said yesterday: "As a close community, obviously we are devastated by this tragedy. Both students were talented, hard-working and well-respected members of our academy.
"Our thoughts are with their families at this most difficult time. We are supporting our students and staff in coping with this terrible loss."
Floral tributes to the teenagers and cards were left outside the school's gates. One card read: "To Mert, thinking of you always, bless your soul and may you rest in peace friend." Another read: "Sleep tight angel. RIP CJ and Mert, never forgotten."
Friends of the pair took to social media to express their shock and grief.
Writing with the Twitter name @lav_gecaj27m, one girl said: "R.I.P Cj and Mert such wonderful and talented people, you will be truly missed xxxxx."
Another girl, @CoverGirlLi, wrote: "still can't believe it. Rip Mert and CJ," while @ShannReade said: "Situations like this just do not make sense, RIP Mert and CJ."
@EllaDefries wrote that both would be missed, adding: "I hope heaven looks after you."
"Instead of dwelling on what just happened, we should be happy we were blessed enough to have known either CJ or Mert, if you did know them," @MikeAmazinn wrote.
A Facebook tribute page also saw friends and well-wishers express their grief and sympathy.
Robert Twiner, from Edgware in north-west London, wrote: "R.I.P To my beautiful cousin Cj. We are thinking about you every second xxx."
"At peace and with the angels. God Bless," was the message left by Peter George Bailey.
BTP is continuing its investigations into the incident.
Superintendent Phil Wilkinson said yesterday: "Although my officers are continuing their investigations as part of our work to prepare a file for the local coroner, there are not thought to be any suspicious circumstances and no one else is believed to have been involved.
"Colleagues from Hertfordshire Constabulary are also in a local secondary school to provide comfort and support to students and staff at this very difficult time."