A Yorkshire photographer who covered one of the worst train crashes in recent British history has died aged 42.

Iain Howard, a photographer with the Wakefield Express, was one of the first press photographers on the scene of the Selby train crash in 2001.

Eight people were killed when a Landrover veered off the motorway and became stuck on the track in the path of an oncoming train which subsequently derailed.

Iain, who passed away last week from liver and kidney failure, had worked for the Express since the summer of 1989 when he joined as a trainee photographer after moving to the city from Coventry.

During his career he also worked for the newspaper’s sister titles in Pontefract and Castleford, Hemsworth and Selby,  covering many of the area’s major news stories over the past three decades.

Picture editor for Yorkshire Weekly Newspaper Group Scott Merrylees said: “Iain was more than a respected colleague, he was a friend. We both joined the newspaper within months of each other.

“Iain was a very well-known figure in the wider community after having worked for more than 20 years in Wakefield.

“He will be sadly missed and our thoughts are with his family.”

Iain’s parents Wes and Ann told the newspaper: “Iain was a very caring and friendly person with everyone he came into contact with.

“All his family will miss him greatly but we are very proud of all his achievements.”

Iain’s funeral will be held on Monday 11 July at Cannon Hill Crematorium in Canley, Coventry.  Any donations can be made to UNICEF or Save the Children.