A college student killed when he was hit by a train on a stretch of track in Potters Bar was a “lovely young man who had his whole life ahead of him”.

Tributes have been paid to 22-year-old Benjamin Ingledew, who was fatally struck by a Cambridge to Kings Cross train half-a-mile before it was due to stop at Potters Bar’s Darkes Lane Station.

British Transport Police officers are still working to establish how and why the Royal Veterinary College (RVC) student was on the tracks when he was hit at 12.44am on Sunday, May 5.

Friends and fellow students have since been paying tribute to the popular animal lover, who originates from Esher, in Surrey, but had been living in Potters Bar while he studied at the RVC’s North Mymms campus.

Staff at the college held a minute’s silence last Tuesday and Professor David Church, vice-principal at the college, paid tribute to the student this week.

He said: “We are deeply saddened by the events of last weekend where a young man with a hugely promising career in veterinary science and their whole life in front them has been tragically taken from us. Everyone at the RVC is devastated by this tragic accident.”

An inquest was opened last week before it was adjourned to allow further investigations in to the unexplained tragedy.

More details have since emerged about the life of Mr Ingledew, who leaves behind a younger brother and sister.

He studied at Tiffin Boys’ Grammar School in Kingston-upon-Thames but realised his dream of going to veterinary college when he enrolled at the RVC two years ago.

Julia Williams, the mother of one of Mr Ingledew’s old school friends Andrew, said: “He was a lovely young man, a bit of an individual – he had his hair long and dyed blond at one stage – but they all go through phases like that. He came from a lovely family – his mum and dad are lovely.

“He was very popular – he was friends with everyone. There won’t be enough space at his funeral for everyone that will want to go. He had a love of animals – he did a lot of volunteering at a stables – and he always wanted to go to veterinary college.

“It is awful to think about his brother and sister at the moment. You can’t imagine what they’re going through.

“The mood among his friends and everyone who knew him is one of total shock. We just don’t know what happened - everyone is full of questions.”