'Gentleman' estate agent killed trying to save dog from train

Published 16 Jul 2010 16:35

A RETIRED estate agent who died trying to rescue his dog from a railway line will be "sorely missed".

Michael Hardy, who founded Michael Hardy estate agents, which has branches in Wokingham and Crowthorne, died on Wednesday after he was struck by a train at a level crossing near Codford in Wiltshire. It is thought that he crossed the line then went back to it to try to save his dog, which was also killed in the incident.

Mr Hardy, 71, had recently moved to Codford from his home in Salisbury, from which he used to commute to the estate agents in Wokingham, where he continued to work as an adviser.

Neal Mackenzie, managing director at the company, said: "He was a gentleman. He was a delight, very funny, very witty. He was a delightful bloke. I don't think anyone would have a bad word to say about him.

"He was a dear friend to a lot of the staff and will be very sorely missed."

Mr Hardy leaves his wife Ann and two grown-up daughters.

Mr Mackenzie said: "They are a very close family and I know that they loved him very dearly."

A funeral date has not yet been set.

A British Transport Police (BTP) spokesman said: "It appears Mr Hardy was attempting to retrieve his dog from the tracks when he was struck by the 1.10pm Bristol Temple Meads to London Waterloo service.

"BTP officers attended the incident, which was reported to police at 2.17pm, along with paramedics from the Great Western Ambulance Service, but Mr Hardy was pronounced dead at the scene.

"The incident is being treated as non-suspicious and a file has been prepared for the coroner."

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