Bob Crow, the general secretary of the Rail Maritime and Transport (RMT) Union has died aged 52.
The union confirmed that Mr Crow has died in the early hours of this morning (11 March).
Born in east London in 1961, Mr Crow got his first job on the underground at the age of 16, fixing rails and cutting down trees on the track.
Mr Crow was elected general secretary of the RMT in 2002 following the death of former leader Jimmy Knapp.
At his time at the RMT, Bob Crow fought hard for safer working environments across the transport industry.
The RMT confirmed reports that Mr Crow has died, saying: “It is with the deepest regret that RMT has to confirm that our general secretary Bob Crow sadly passed away in the early hours of this morning.
“RMT would request that all media respect the privacy of the friends and family of Bob Crow at this distressing time.”
Former Mayor of London Ken Livingstone, said: “I assumed he would be at my funeral, not me at his.
“He fought really hard for his members. The only working-class people who still have well-paid jobs in London are his members.”
In a statement, Boris Johnson, said: “I’m shocked. Bob Crow was a fighter and a man of character. Whatever our political differences, and there were many, this is tragic news.
“Bob fought tirelessly for his beliefs and his members. There can be absolutely no doubt that he played a big part in the success of the Tube.”
It is understood that Bob Crow died at Whipps Cross Hospital in Leytonstone after suffering an aneurysm and a massive heart attack.
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