Father-of-four cancer survivor killed in New York train crash as he traveled to city to work on lighting for Rockefeller Christmas tree after Thanksgiving

PUBLISHED: 19:59 EST, 1 December 2013 | UPDATED: 22:18 EST, 1 December 2013

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Sunday morning's derailment of a Metro-North train in The Bronx has claimed the lives of at least four people, one of them a media producer and married father of four who was on his way to work on the Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting.

James Lovell, 58, the husband of Philipstown Deputy Supervisor Nancy Montgomery, was named as a victim of the horrific crash that left three others dead and some 63 passengers injured - 11 of them critically.

Lovell and his wife lived in Cold Spring with their four children, Finn, Jack, Brooke and Hudson.

Loving dad: James Lovell, 58, pictured right with his son Finn, has been identified as one of the four people who were killed in the Metro-North train derailment

Horror crash: Viewed from Manhattan, first responders and others work near a victim next to a derailed Metro North passenger train in the Bronx borough of New York

According to a family friend, Mr Lovell worked as a screenwriter, lighting and audio producer for theatrical events. On Sunday morning, he was traveling to Manhattan to work on the annual Rockefeller Center Christmas tree lighting, which is scheduled for Tuesday, LoHud.com reported.

Speaking to the Putnam County Courier Sunday, Philipstown Supervisor Richard Shea wept as he remembered Lovell, whom he described as a close friend.

'Jim was a great guy who would give you the shirt off his back,' Mr Shea told the paper. 'For his age, Jim was a kid. I was with him a couple of days ago. I can’t believe he is gone, leaving Nancy and his three sons behind.'

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Mr Shea added that the 58-year-old writer had survived a bout with cancer and an open heart surgery five years ago.

'He loved life. What a tragedy! To be killed in a train crash,' an emotional Mr Shea said.

Survivor: A friend said Lovell went through an open heart surgery five years ago and also survived a bout with cancer

Lovell's son Finn has been tweeting about the tragedy since Sunday afternoon. His latest message posted on his Twitter and Instagram accounts was a touching eulogy nourishing his father.

‘Word can't express how much my father meant to me,’ Finn Lovell wrote. ‘It's safe to say he molded me into the man I am today. I love you and I miss you.

Loving spouse: Lovell was the husband of Philipstown Deputy Supervisor Nancy Montgomery

He went on: ‘I can't believe your gone. This feels like an awful nightmare that I can't wake up from. Rest easy dad. I love you.’

In an earlier message, Finn Lovell asked his 1,431 followers to keep his father in their prayers, saying that he was in a hospital after being injured in the derailment.

Later, the young man wrote:' I can't believe he's f***ing gone. This has to be a nightmare.'

Finn followed up three hours later, tweeting in part: 'My dad may be gone but he'll never be forgotten.’

Richard Shea told the Wall Street Journal his late friend was an avid historian who was writing a book about the military history of the area in upstate New York where he grew up.

When he was not busy working on theatrical productions or digging into the past of his hometown, Mr Shea said the 58-year-old husband and father dedicated much of his free time to his children.

‘They lived on the lake. I was watching him do backflips off the diving board with his boys, hiking with his boys, doing whatever they wanted. He was one of the boys,’ Shea said.

Three of the four confirmed dead - two men and two women - were thrown from the train on impact and there are fears that could have happened to more passengers. At least 63 people were injured in the wreck.

The Grand Central Station-bound Metro-North commuter train jumped the tracks near the Spuyten-Duyvil Station just before 7.30am Sunday morning. All seven of the train cars left the tracks, with two turning completely over and one stopping just before the Harlem River.

Tragic loss: Kisook Ahn, 35, a registered nurse from Queens, was named as one of the four victims in the accident

The violent derailment sent people flying through the train as windows smashed open, dirt and gravel shot inside them and the seven car train was left scattered around the track.

The other three victims have been identified tonight as James Ferrari, 59, of Montrose; Donna Smith, 54, of Newburgh, and 35-year-old Ahn Kisook, of Queens.

According to her Facebook page, Miss Ahn worked as a registered nurse at Kings County Hospital in Brooklyn.

Three of the victims had been ejected from the train and discovered lying on the ground. The fourth was found inside.

All four fatalities were from carriages that rolled over on their side.

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jayjay, scarsdale, 50 minutes ago

I will pray for you and your family. Dad will always be there. You just have to get used to him as your guardian angel. My deepest sympathy.

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Jane, New York City, 56 minutes ago

Deepest condolences to all the families. What an unfathomable nightmare...

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Brooke, EastCoast US, United States, 1 hour ago

You just never know... Prayers and condolences to the family and friends of all the victims in this tragic accident. Just so sad for everyone involved. RIP

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mm3400, Santa Barbara, United States, 1 hour ago

RIP to all the victims and hope the injured get better soon and so sorry to all of their grieving families

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mkr193, Boston, United States, 2 hours ago

The Lovell family lost an incredible, inspirational person today. I can't imagine what it is like to go through cancer, open heart surgery, etc.. It takes a strong person to be able to pull through like he did. His children and wife must be so proud and so lucky to have had such an amazing person as a father. R.I.P., James Lovell. I am so sorry for your loss.