A man who received a commendation for saving a child who had wandered in front of a train has passed away.

Norman Philip Carroll worked for Southern Rail in the late 1960s and early 70s as a trackman out of Croydon.

On September 24, 1969, Mr Carroll, just 19 at the time, noticed that a small boy had climbed a fence at West Croydon and was wandering across the running lines.

After spotting him he ran to lift him clear, saving him from serious injury before returning him to his guardian.

His brother Steve described the sudden passing as a big loss.

"He was not just a brother but a friend, and left a bit too early," he said.

"He leaves a void in the lives of his wife, children, grand children, brothers and sister, and many, many more people around the world."

He died on February 13, aged 67.