袜子

PARENTS of a young man who died under the wheels of a Metro train say his death has devastated them.

Brilliant student Nick Veuger died instantly when he was struck by a Newcastle-bound train just outside West Monkseaton Station, North Tyneside, at 10.30am on Friday.

His family said the 27-year-old had been suffering from depression and they believe he took his own life.

Today his parents Marilyn, 60, and Joop, 70, paid tribute to their gifted son who was in the last year of studying for a PhD at Newcastle University.

Surrounded by photographs and Nick’s certificates at her home in Monkseaton, Marilyn said: “It’s unbelievable what happened. I’ll never get over this, never. But I’m going over his whole life, and I’m so proud.

“Nick had a gift for learning, you could just pour it in. He would say the best thing he could do was use that gift and keep learning. He had so much to offer.

“When he was three he changed the fanbelt on the Hoover and took his bike apart and put it back together. Everything he got was taken to bits.

“He was a little Arthur Daley – always wheeling and dealing and would try anything – he could have been a plumber, electrician, nuclear physicist, even a magician. He was wonderful.

“I didn’t realise how popular he was. You could talk to him about anything, and he would always have a joke. He had a great sense of humour.”

Nick and his sister Stephany, 30, both excelled in their studies despite having to cope with Marilyn twice battling cancer. The former Monkseaton High School pupil grew up in the town and graduated with first class honours in physics from Newcastle University before completing his masters at Durham University, where he met his fiancée of seven years Ally Bletsas.

He was living with Ally in Bradford Crescent, Durham, when he died.

Marilyn said: “I’ve been ill for 20 years but he’s coped. It’s not been easy and he’s had to cope with quite a lot but he’s still managed to achieve all those successes.”

Nick would try his hand at any activity, from skydiving on one of his two round-the-world trips, to recently racing an MG car he had rebuilt in his father’s garage. Joop said: “It was fantastic. It took three years to build but he did a great job.”

Ally, 27, who met Nick eight years ago, added: “He was a wonderful friend, he was my best friend. He was kind to everybody he knew and he was the biggest support you could ever hope for as a partner. I will miss him so much.”

Nick’s half-sisters Anneke and Liedewey and half-brother Eddy were travelling over from Holland, Joop’s native country, for his funeral.

Friends paid tribute to Nick, who was captain of the English Universities Pool team, on internet sites set up after his death. Among the messages written on UK-Pool.com, where Nick was known by his nickname Einstein, his half-brother Eddy wrote: “He was my little brother and he leaves behind an enormous empty space in my heart.”

Nick’s half-sister Liedewey wrote on a Facebook forum called RIP – Nick Veuger – Legend: “Words can not describe how sad it is that I will never see him again.”

Nick’s funeral was due to take place today, at Whitley Bay Cemetery, at 2pm.