A NEW Milton pensioner about to set off on holiday was tragically killed as he made his way to meet his wife at the train station.

On the morning of Thursday, August 14, William Hall, known as Bill to his friends and family, dropped his wife Hilary at the station with their suitcases.

The couple, who had been married for 62 years, were meant to be catching a train to the airport before jetting off to Lanzarote.

While Hilary waited at the station with their luggage, the retired electrical engineer returned to the couple’s home on Ashley Road to park the car in the garage.

Just a few minutes after he set off on the short walk back to meet his wife, the 84-year-old was involved in a collision with a BT Openreach van. Sadly he died at the scene.

Describing the father of one and grandfather of three as a “friendly gentleman” who would “do anything for anyone”, neighbours at the couple’s home of eight years, Yeomans Lodge, were left devastated by the news.

Stanley Millar said: “It’s so sad. He came back after dropping his wife and luggage off at the station. We offered to run him up but he wouldn’t let us. He was a very independent man.”

Mr Millar said the active pensioner, who played bowls, snooker and golf, was a popular and caring man.

He said: “He would do anything for anybody. He was such a great guy. He was quite old but he was still very sprightly.”

Nicki McCabe, who has lived in Yeomans Lodge for five years, added: “It’s a great shame. He was so friendly – such a lovely chap.”