King pays tribute 25 years on from train disaster

King Charles has sent "heartfelt thoughts and prayers" to a memorial service for those who died in the Great Heck rail disaster 25 years ago.

The service at Selby Abbey marked the anniversary of the crash in which 10 men died – including the two train drivers – and 82 people were injured.

A letter, sent by the King's private secretary, was read out to the congregation and sent "warmest good wishes" to those who had gathered for a "significant day of remembrance".

"It was deeply moving to be reminded of the reverence shown towards both those who lost their lives and those whose lives have been forever changed," the letter said.

Tony Thompson, a retired British Transport Police officer, who attended the disaster and co-ordinated the service, said it was "really important" to remember those who were killed and were affected.

"More than 1,000 people – the fire, the police, ambulance, the railway, the hospitals – were involved in the response. Some people from an emergency response perspective still suffer from some of the effects of what they dealt with on that day," he said.

In the early hours of 28 February 2001, a Land Rover towing a trailer veered off the M62 and landed on the tracks of the East Coast Mainline near the village of Great Heck.

A southbound passenger train hit the vehicle and derailed, before it was then struck by a freight train travelling on the northbound line at a combined speed of 142mph (228km/h).

Gary Hart, the driver of the Land Rover who had fallen asleep at the wheel, was later convicted of 10 counts of causing death by dangerous driving and served 30 months of a five-year jail term.

Mary Dunn, whose husband Steve had been on the footplate of the freight train, which was carrying 1,000 tonnes of coal, said the service had extra resonance for her as his funeral was also held in Selby Abbey.

"I was probably sitting today where I was sat for his funeral," she said.

"But I think the service was lovely, it was done really nicely, really tasteful, and it gave people time to just stop and think a bit."

Judith Cairncross, sister of Great North Eastern Railway senior conductor Raymond Robson, said the service "eased the stress of the last 25 years".

"It's been a lovely day and a lovely service and it helps with the memories of Raymond – not of that horrible day, because it was atrocious - but life going forward," she said.

During the service members of the bereaved families were invited to light a candle in their memory, which they were then given to take home.

Joanne Weddle-Wheatley, who was engaged to passenger train driver John Weddle at the time of the crash, said: "It makes it purposeful that we can be together, laying wreaths and sounding horns, it's quite poignant to commemorate the two drivers who were lost.

"Over the 25 years it has been difficult at times but you have to live."

Meanwhile rail workers, survivors and families gathered at Newcastle Central station.

Survivor Thomas Kaplanis was working in first class as a waiter on the day of the crash and his spine was broken in two places.

He said: "It was horrific because when the train was derailed. It crashed and obviously I came out of the train but I didn't know whether I was dead or alive to be honest.

"It was an horrific experience."

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