A TRAIN has been named to honour a popular Basingstoke-based guard who was killed in a hit and run.

Dave Gunson, 65, worked for South West Trains for over 20 years and died on December 23 2016 in Southampton General Hospital after being hit by a car while cycling to work on the A338 near to his home in Tidworth, Wiltshire, the previous evening.

“Dave was involved in a fatal accident just before Christmas and everyone loved him so much, I just felt that something has to be done to recognise him,” said colleague, Mike Bunker, also a guard for South West Trains.

“I don’t think it has (a train has ever been named after a guard before), no and I’m a bit of a railway buff so it’s the first time I think.”

Family, including wife of 35 years Chrystine, friends and colleagues were all the present at the unveiling of the South West Trains unit bearing Mr Gunson’s name at Woking station on July 26

He had already been working earlier on December 22 and volunteered to return for the evening to cover for a sick colleague.

The father of three and grandfather to nine never held a driving licence and was a keen cyclist who cycled to work in Basingstoke, Winchester and Salisbury.

His family worked out that over 30 years, he’d cycled the equivalent of five times around the world.

Andrew Fairbank, head of on trains services for South West Trains said: “This was a great tribute to Dave Gunson by his colleagues.

“Dave was a very well-respected member of the commercial guard team and it’s testament to his character that a train has been named after him.”

A 23 year-old man from Tidworth, who failed to stop following the collision, was charged with causing death by dangerous driving after Mr Gunson’s death.