A SECOND man, who suffered 90 per cent burns in last Tuesday's fire inside a tunnel on the Channel Tunnel Rail Link, has died in hospital.

Douglas Lynch, 50, from Folkestone, lost his fight for life at a hospital burns unit at 9.28pm on Saturday.

The fire had broken out on a maintenance train at the Channel Tunnel Rail Link inside the Thames Tunnel between Swanscombe and Thurrock last Tuesday evening.

A colleague was found dead at the scene.

It was revealed that train driver Mr Lynch had brought his locomotive to a stop whilst engulfed in fire, stopping it colliding or causing further severe damage.

A statement issued by Kent Police on behalf of Mr Lynch's wife Denise and sons Michael and Stephen said: "The family also understand that Dougie stayed with the train to prevent a major incident. His family and colleagues consider him a hero."

But Mr Lynch, known to friends and family as Dougie, had suffered 90 per cent burns and finally lost his life at the Broomfield Hospital in Chelmsford.

The statement added: "The injuries that Dougie sustained were so serious and he fought so hard to survive that he lost his fight.

"The family's heartfelt thanks go to the staff at the hospital who worked so hard to save his life."

Mrs Lynch said: "You will not find a more health and safety conscious man, which is why I find it so hard to believe that I have lost my husband, my sons have lost their father and our grandchildren have lost their grandad."

The cause of the fire is being investigated by Kent Police, the Health and Safety Executive and Kent Fire and Rescue.