Service remembers train crash victims

At least 10 people are believed to have died in the crash

HENSALL, England -- Passengers killed in the Selby rail disaster have been remembered at a special church service.

Sunday's service at the Parish Church of St Paul, Hensall, is about one mile from Great Heck, Yorkshire, where at least 10 people are believed to have died last Wednesday.

The 45-minute service was aimed at providing an opportunity for those involved in the immediate locality and aftermath to focus their thoughts and feelings in prayer.

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The service included bible readings and a brief period of silence.

The accident happened after a Land Rover crashed onto the railway line and was then hit by a high-speed passenger train, which in turn derailed into the path of a freight train.

From the churchyard giant cranes which have been working to lift the mangled wreckage from the track could be seen in the distance.

Church spokesman Martin Sheppard said relatives of three of the crash victims were among the 250-strong congregation.

Four survivors, plus local villagers, civil officials and representatives from the rail companies and emergency services also attended.

Sheppard told the UK Press Association: "This was not a memorial service in the traditional sense, but more of an opportunity for all those affected by the disaster to come together for a period of peace, quiet, reflection and prayer and to try to come to terms with the extraordinary events of last Wednesday."

In his sermon, the Bishop of Doncaster, the Rt Rev Cyril Ashton, said: "The purpose of the service was not to apportion blame.

"It's an opportunity to commemorate with appropriate dignity those who have lost their lives, to recognise the grief and pain as so many lives have been torn apart, to pray for the injured, the bereaved and the broken and to comfort those who mourn.

"It's also an opportunity to say thank you to those who have offered their compassion, support and their considerable skills in the wake of the accident.

"Perhaps, above all, it's an attempt to offer hope beyond the tragedy."

He paid tribute to the emergency services and local people and praised the courage of the survivors and the bereaved families.

On Friday, the two young sons of freight train driver Stephen Dunn, who was killed in the crash, visited the scene of the tragedy.

There were emotional scenes as Andrew, 12, James, nine, and their mother Mary hugged and gave each other support as they gazed at the tangled wreckage.

Laurie Gunson, who survived the tragedy, also returned.

He was trapped in the buffet car for more than an hour before being released by firefighters.

Police have stressed that the Land Rover driver, Gary Hart, 36, of Strubby, Lincolnshire, has not been arrested or charged with any criminal offence.

Reuters contributed to this report.

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Railtrack
Great North Eastern Railway
British Transport Police Federation
Lincolnshire Police

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