Messages of support for Newcastle United fan Darren White, who was hit by train at Bexleyheath station

Friends have told the Newcastle Chronicle that Newcastle United fan Darren White, 41, collapsed on the London-bound platform at around 7.30am on Sunday morning (October 26).

He was then dragged along by a passing train and suffered lost toes, a broken leg, a shattered pelvis and had skin ripped from his back.

The devoted Newcastle fan from Peterlee in County Durham had been waiting to meet up with friends to go and watch their team play Tottenham that afternoon.

Darren White

Friend Bobby Huntingdon, 60, told the Chronicle: “It’s just been awful news for all of us.

“You could not meet a nicer bloke, no one has a bad word to say about him.

“My phone has never stopped ringing since this happened.”

“They have operated on him today. I think it will take a long while for him to recover, and got knows how many skin grafts he will need on his back but it looks like he will survive,”

“They have done a brain scan, and although his body is all battered he still has all his faculties.

“He’s been very fortunate considering what happened.”

Mr White has worked as a caretaker at East Durham College for over 12 years.

Colleagues have described him as 'lovely man'.

Newcastle United Fan, Darren White, remains in a critical condition

Jim Blower, Director of Estate & Services, said: “Everyone at the College has been deeply shocked by the news of Darren White’s accident at the weekend.

“Darren is a well-respected member of the Estates team and he’s really well-liked around the College.

“Our thoughts are with Darren and his family, and we will do everything we can to support Darren during his recovery.”

Mr White was taken to King’s College Hospital where he remains in a critical but stable condition.

The station was cordoned off and trains cancelled while British Transport Police and Met officers carried out investigations.

The station was reopened and handed back to Network Rail at 8.45am.

A BTP spokesman said: “The full circumstances of the incident are still under investigation and officers would like to speak to anyone who was at the station at the time, but has not yet come forward to police.

“Anyone with information is asked to call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40, or text 61016, quoting incident reference 106 of October 26.”

Did you see what happened? Call 01689 885702, e-mail tim.macfarlan@london.newsquest.co.uk or Tweet @NewsShopperTim