BBC radio personality Kelly Jobanputra has died suddenly after being involved in a “tragic accident.”
The presenter and journalist was walking near her home in Swindon last Friday afternoon when she was struck by a train.
She was 39-years-old.
Jobanputra’s family have said that they believe the incident to have been an accident. They formally identified the presenter’s remains earlier this week.
Speaking to the Swindon Advertiser, Jobanputra’s father John Stooke said he and the rest of his family are devastated by the loss.
“We are completely and utterly bereft to lose such a vibrant, attractive, courageous and well-loved family member at such a very young age,” he said.
“She was in good spirits when she left at lunchtime to go to Asda. It seems that, whilst the circumstances are not at all clear, this may well have been, in the end, an unintended and tragic accident.”
Stooke went on to say that he was not just thinking of his own family during this difficult time.
“We also believe the train driver was naturally traumatised and he or she also remains very much in our thoughts and prayers,” he said.
Jobanputra began her career presenting on local BBC radio stations for a decade and a half, before moving to BBC Radio 6 to produce a daytime show in London.
She was known at the time as Kelly Stooke and continued to use her maiden name as her byline after she wed.
Jobanputra’s family have asked for privacy during this difficult time. An inquest into the journalist’s death will be carried out at a later date.
