On 5 June 1965 he was the driver in charge of a relief train when at about seven miles from Crewe the fire suddenly blew back from the firebox of a BR Standard Class 7 steam locomotive No. 70051 Firth Of Forth, filling the cab with smoke and flames.
Roberts found his mate lying on the embankment next to the train, badly burned, but evidently having remained in the cab until the train stopped.