Man Escaping Custody Van on A1(M) Is Killed by Train Near Welwyn North at 09:40
Updated
Updated · BBC.com · May 28
Man Escaping Custody Van on A1(M) Is Killed by Train Near Welwyn North at 09:40
3 articles · Updated · BBC.com · May 28
A man in his 40s was struck and killed by a train near Welwyn North station after escaping a custody transport van during a court transfer from Stevenage.
At about 09:00, he got out while the contractor's vehicle was stationary on the A1(M); British Transport Police were then called to a casualty on the track at about 09:40 BST.
Two transport contractor staff were injured in an altercation inside the van and were taken to hospital, while the man's family has been informed pending formal identification.
Hertfordshire Police has referred the case to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, a file has been prepared for the coroner, and inquiries into the circumstances are continuing.
National Rail said the line has reopened, though some delays and cancellations were still expected after the incident.
Was this man's fatal escape a simple security breach, or a tragic symptom of a crisis in prisoner mental healthcare?
With violence in custody transport a 'daily occurrence,' are private contractors dangerously unequipped for the job?