TRIBUTES have been paid to a “smart, funny, family man” who died last week.

Mathew Brough, who was 38 and lived in Lockton, was married to Lisa and had two children Boston, aged nine, and Persephone, five. He died after being hit by a train near Scampston on Friday.

Lisa, also known as Lilly, said Mathew had originally lived in York and moved to Malton when he was 15.

After leaving school, he had gone to work at Malton bacon factory and at the time had been working as a charge hand.

Lisa, 37, a registered nurse at Rivermead Care Home in Norton, said: “Mathew was a wonderful father and supportive husband who was loved by all his family.

“He had six brothers and sisters and was very close to them and his mum and dad.”

Lisa added: “Mathew was so smart and funny and we both saw the world in the same way.

“He loved his kids and they loved him so much.

“Mathew always put me and the kids first before anything and he worked so hard to keep a roof over our heads.

“He was there to protect and look after us no matter what and was very loyal and giving and so

supportive of me.”

Lisa said she had had lots of support from people following Mathew’s death.

“He was loved by me and the kids and all his family. We are all devastated and are going to miss him so much,” she said.

A spokesman for British Transport Police (BTP) said they had been called to the York to Scarborough line near Scampston at about 11am on Friday.

“A person was sadly pronounced dead. It’s not being treated as suspicious and a file will be prepared for the coroner,” they added.