The family of Philip Seary, who was one of seven killed in the Croydon tram crash, have paid tribute to their loved one. 

Mr Seary, 57, an electrical engineer, was on his way to work to cover a shift for a colleague when the vehicle derailed near Sandilands tram stop on Wednesday.

Those close to him told the Croydon Guardian how the Crystal Palace fan, who lived in New Addington with his wife Ann Seary, devoted his life to his family. 

Speaking at the family home today, three days on from the incident that killed six men and a women, his son-in-law Darren Mimms said: "Phil was a devoted family man. 

"He devoted his life to his children and his wife, and was well known among the community." 

Standing 6ft 4in, known by friends as 'Tank', Mr Seary was a "big, solid man with an even bigger heart", Mr Mimms added.

Like 19-year-old Dane Chinnery, who was the first victim to be identified yesterday, Mr Seary was a keen Crystal Palace fan.

He proposed to his wife Ann when The Eagles reached the FA Cup Final in 1990, after he joked as a child that was when he would pop the question.

The 57-year-old had three non-biological children; Martha, 43, Erica, 31, and Karina, 29.

The youngest, Karina, said: "We are all still in a state of complete shock, and totally heartbroken and devastated.”

Mr Seary’s son-in-law added that the engineer, who worked at the Royal Opera House in Covent Garden, was covering a shift for a colleague and “should never have been riding that tram”.

“He wasn’t supposed to be riding that tram, he wasn’t on his rota, he was covering for someone”, Mr Mimms said.

“He should never have been on that tram, but unfortunately he was and we have to live with that now.”

The crowded two-carriage vehicle came off the tracks at around 6.10am on Addiscombe Road.

Tributes to Mr Seary have been paid online, with Graham and Holly Eves writing on Facebook: "We lost one of the BEST!! The most kind, giving person we'll ever have in our lives!!

"Rest in Paradise our friend & brother... love you to the stars."

Another post from Heather Palmer read: "He was a truly lovely gentle giant of man. One of the nicest people I ever knew. 

"Genuinely lovely. Will be missed. RIP Tank, and god bless you.”

More than 50 people were injured in the crash, some having undergone surgery at St George’s Hospital in Tooting.

The driver of the Wimbledon-bound tram, a 42-year-old man from Beckenham, was arrested on Wednesday. He has been released on bail until May while an investigation is carried out.