The chief executive of City of York Council, David Atkinson, was today struggling to come to terms with the sudden death of his teenage son.

His 16-year-old son Richard, who lived at the family home in Kent, was found dead on Wednesday night next to a railway line in Sidcup, just a few miles away. He had suffered serious injuries.

British Transport Police are investigating the death but say there are no suspicious circumstances.

Council leader Rod Hills, whose wife, city councillor Carol Wallace, died suddenly in December last year after a fall, said: "This is devastating news for David and his family. The thoughts of everyone in the council are with them at this very difficult time."

Coun Steve Galloway, Liberal Democrat leader, said: "Everybody is desperately sad that this should happen, particularly at a time when David had reached the pinnacle of his career and was looking forward to settling in York with his family."

Conservative group leader John Galvin added: "I am terribly sorry and sad to hear about what has happened. Our full sympathies are with him."

Mr Atkinson, 53, is said to be "devastated" and too distraught to talk of his loss.

Today he was with his wife Kathleen at their home in Orpington, Kent.

An inquest is due to be opened next week.

Mr Atkinson, who took up the post of chief executive in December last year, has two daughters - Sarah, a first year university student, and Claire, an A-level student.

He stayed in York during the working week while his family lived in Kent.

When interviewed by the Evening Press on his appointment last year he explained that Richard had been due to take his GCSEs this year, and the family planned to move to York after that where his son would study for his A levels.

Mr Atkinson is expected to be off work for up to two weeks. The authority's management team will be in charge during his absence.

He took over from previous chief executive David Clark last year. Mr Atkinson has been with the council since November 1995, when he joined as director of resources. He was appointed deputy chief executive in 1997.

He previously worked for the London Borough of Greenwich as Borough Secretary and Solicitor, London Fire and Civil Defence and the Greater London Council.

Updated: 10:30 Friday, March 09, 2001