1:10pm Wednesday 28th January 2009
By Jack Royston
THE friends and family of a “terrific little guy” who took his own life after helping so many others have expressed their grief.
Danny Fernandes, 19, of Harrow Weald, was hit by a train while walking down the tracks at Headstone Lane station, ending a life that touched hundreds of people.
Some of his last words, spoken to a friend over the phone, were “I want to be at peace”.
His mother Patricia, 54, said: “He just said to his friend 'my train's come, there's my train' and then there was no answer.
“He just believed that, despite all the love, he couldn't see where the help was coming from.”
She said Danny never completely recovered after the death of his Nan seven years ago, and she sometimes found him crying.
She told the Harrow Times the only thing that stopped her joining her son was talking to the friends he left behind.
She said: “When I found out about Danny I wanted to do the same thing to myself but I looked into their faces and the pain they suffered is the only thing that stopped me.
“If he could have seen the love and the tears he wouldn't have gone anywhere near a train for the rest of his life.
“Everybody says they remember his eyes. Everyone says that – his eyes and his smile. You always found him with a smile.”
Dozens of flowers line a set of railings outside NatWest, in High Road, Harrow Weald, where he was known to hang out, a spot his sister Lucy, 21, described as “his corner”.
A Facebook group set up in his honour has attracted more than 550 members and an online memorial has had more than 1,500 visitors.
Friends have been seen driving through the area with his photo displayed in their cars and Patricia has opened up her home, in Long Elms, to all his friends.
She says hundreds have come to pay their respects and share their grief.
Lucy said: “He brought such a warmth wherever he went. He was so charismatic he could just walk into a room and catch everybody's eyes.”
In a message posted on tribute website gonetoosoon.org, Jacqueline Outram said: “A golden heart stopped beating, two smiling eyes at rest, God broke your family's hearts to prove to them, He only takes the best. Sweet dreams beautiful angel.”
Danny died after being hit by a cargo train at around 2.30am on Saturday morning.
Did you know Danny? Leave your tributes for him below.
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