THE former vicar of a St Albans city centre church died on Monday after being struck by a train at Harpenden Station.

The Rev David Brentnall, 59, was vicar of St Peter’s Church for 12 years before stepping down unexpectedly in February 2009.

At the time, the then Bishop of Hertford, the Rt Rev Christopher Foster, said the Rev Brentnall’s decision had been made on “personal grounds” and asked parishioners to respect the privacy and confidentiality of the minister and his wife Mary.

The Bishop of St Albans, the Very Rev Alan Smith, paid tribute to the Rev Brentnall this week.

He said: “I am very sad to hear of the sudden and tragic death of the Rev David Brentnall. Although he had not been active as a priest in recent years, he is still remembered with affection by many people in St Albans and Harpenden, not least for his charity work.”

In a statement British Transport Police said a man from St Albans had been struck by a train at Harpenden Station shortly after 3pm on Monday. He was pronounced dead at the scene and his family had been informed.

The train was a Corby to London St Pancras service and although not run by First Capital Connect, services were affected for the rest of the afternoon.

The death has been reported to the Herts Coroner and an inquest into the Rev Brentnall’s death is expected to be opened and adjourned shortly.