BEREAVED relatives today paid moving tributes to their lost loved ones at the inquest into the Selby rail crash.

They were speaking at the hearing into the disaster as the jury at the Majestic Hotel, Harrogate, was told details about the last journeys of each of the ten men.

Margitta Needham's voice broke at times as she said: "Barry was my husband, my best friend, my soul mate. He was a tall healthy man with a twinkle in his electric blue eye and a warmth in his smile that touched the hearts of all who knew him both young and old.

"He always put the well-being of others before his own. Although it was his day off on February 28, he agreed to help out a colleague.

"The crash was a forceful tearing apart of the life we knew.

"To die needlessly is unbearably cruel. The enormity of what has happened has left deep scars.

"Barry was in the prime of his life. We could have spent many more beautiful years together. He had so many plans. We had so many plans.

"Instead he was buried the day before his 41st birthday. We didn't have time to prepare for loss. That is why the reconstruction leading up to Barry's death is so important. I do not wish to be protected from the truth. I need to know so that I can be close to Barry even in the knowledge of what happened to me."

The inquest heard that freight rail logistics co-ordinator Mr Needham, of New Earswick, worked for EWS. He caught the 6am GNER London train at York to go to his workplace in Doncaster, a journey he did daily.

He got into Coach B2, which turned upside down in the crash.

His body was found near a front bulkhead. He died from head injuries.

Civil engineering project manager Alan Ensor, 44, of Dunnington, was a married man with two children. On February 28, 2001, he drove from his home to York Railway Station where he got into the rear of Coach F en route to a business meeting in London. During the crash, Coach F also turned upside down and his body was found inside near his seat. He died from multiple injuries.

Jane Wilson, sister of York professor of psychology Steve Baldwin, 44, said: "He was a much loved son and brother. We miss him dearly. Steve worked at Teesside University where he was an inspiration for his students. He was highly regarded by his colleagues.

"He also worked with children to improve their lives. Tributes from friends and colleagues from around the world spoke of his dedication, sense of humour, love of music, passion of running and determination to make a difference.

"Although Steve is not here, he remains with us in our memories and he still has the ability to make us smile."

The jury heard that Mr Baldwin, 44, a single man, of Piccadilly, York, was on his way to address a conference in London that evening. He boarded the train at York and sat in Coach B2 in the middle of the train.

After the crash, his body was found near to Seat 42 in the same coach, which had rolled down the railway embankment.

Mary Dunn, widow of Freightliner train driver Stephen Dunn said: "Steve was an experienced, conscientious and highly professional train driver who lived and eventually died for the railway.

"His colleagues and supervisors regarded him highly and he knew this. He was known as a joker and his memory still raises a smile with colleagues and friends alike."

The inquest continues.

Updated: 14:27 Wednesday, September 10, 2003