Slough station - incidents and events (merged posts)

[whole diary]

[vrose]

The person you are talking about had a name and a family. His name was Russell Smith. He had two brothers and four sisters. I am one of his sisters. He had a mother. He had three nieces and three nephews. He was unwell. To those that witnessed his death i will forever be sorry to you and prey that you overcome what you saw. I have seen some of the most disgusting things being said about my brother to the point i have actually felt like i was going to be physically sick. For those of you that were 'inconvenienced' that day remember he was a person who was loved.

[Chris from Nailsea]

Thank you for posting those restrained and very personal comments, vrose.  On behalf of all members of this forum, I ask you to please accept our apologies if any distress has been caused to you or your family and friends of Russell by anything in this topic.

We have a custom of welcoming all new members to the Coffee Shop forum, but when we are joined by someone in such sad circumstances, it is difficult to find suitable words.  May I offer you a sincere welcome to the forum, and please accept our condolences at such a tragic time.

Chris from Nailsea. 

[a-driver]

Very sorry for your loss vrose and the disgusting comments you have had to read.  Unfortunately a small proportion of rail users are selfish, rude and show a total lack of respect especially in situations like these.  It does sicken us to the core with the attitude of some people who fail to realise this is a person, a member of someones family.
Anyone who works in the railway industry knows that someone who takes their own life in circumstances like these are in a very very bad place, thinking about others is the last thing on their minds. No one would deliberately or intentionally inflict this level of pain on their families or loved ones.
Please remember that no one in the rail industry, or the majority of rail users, blames or has any hate towards an individual or a family through tragic events like these.

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Windsor Observer:

Man hit by train at Slough station has been named

A 22-year-old man who died after being hit by a train at Slough station has been named.

Russell Smith, of Fairfield Avenue, Datchet, died after being hit by a train at around 11.15am on Monday.

An inquest into his death was opened and adjourned on Tuesday (1). An initial date for the inquest has been set for August 14.

Authorities were called to Slough Train Station after reports of a person being hit by a train.

Medics attended but Mr Smith was pronounced dead at the scene. The incident was being treated as non-suspicious by police.

We would like to put together a tribute piece to Mr Smith. If you knew him, please leave a comment below or email reporter John Dickens at jdickens@berksmedia.co.uk

I'm quoting this press item here as an update on the very sad death of Russell Smith: please note the invitation for anyone who knew him to contribute to a tribute piece in the local press.

Thanks, Chris from Nailsea. 

[vrose]

Thankyou very much for your understanding and condolences.

[Alan Pettitt]

Very very sorry to hear of your loss Violet, I have lost three close family members in similar situations in the last 35 years, my prayers are with you and all your family.

[vrose]

Thankyou so much, and i am sorry for your losses. I didn't mean to sound rude towards anyone. I'ts a situation that unless you're in it then you can't fully comprehend the devastation it creates. And to see it being broadcasted so publicly as if it's nothing of importance and just an inconvenience to someones morning just makes the devastation harder.

[NickB]

Absolutely shocking if what is reported turns out to be true:

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/uknews/road-and-rail-transport/11115371/Two-people-die-after-being-pushed-in-front-of-a-train-at-Slough-station.html

Two people have died after being hit by a train at Slough station amid reports that they were pushed onto the tracks.

British Transport Police said they were investigating the deaths and were treating the incident as "suspicious".

A source said: "We are not ruling out an element of foul play."

Police were called at shortly before 9.45am to reports that two people had been struck by a train at Slough station in Berkshire.

A BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) spokesman said: "At this time the incident at Slough has been declared suspicious and officers are investigating the circumstances."

A BTP spokesman said: "Our officers were called to Slough railway station shortly before 9.45am on Tuesday, 23 September, following reports that two people had been struck by a train.

"Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service also attended the incident, and two people were pronounced dead at the scene.

"The incident is currently being treated as suspicious. Officers are working to identify the deceased, and a full investigation has been launched.

"The station is currently closed while inquiries continue."

A South Central Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: "We were called at 9.42am to reports of two people struck by a train. We sent two ambulance officers and an ambulance crew and two people were confirmed deceased at the scene."

[JayMac]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Two people have died after being hit by a train in Slough, Berkshire, in "suspicious circumstances", police have said.

Police were called just before 09:45 BST and the station is currently closed.

Officers are working to identify the victims and an investigation has been launched.

A South Central Ambulance crew pronounced the two people dead at the scene.

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "The incident is currently being treated as suspicious. Officers are working to identify the deceased and a full investigation has been launched."

From FGW^▸ (First Great Western)'s JourneyCheck:

Due to a person hit by a train between Reading and London Paddington some lines are closed.

Impact:
Train services running to and from these stations may be delayed by up to 60 mins or revised. Disruption is expected until 12:45 23/09.

Customer Advice:
Cross Country, South West Trains, Chiltern Railways and London Underground are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice. London Midland and Virgin Trains are conveying passengers via any reasonable route until further notice.

[BerkshireBugsy]

Tragic loss of life and once again my thoughts go out to all those affected.

Very sad indeed.

[Chris from Nailsea]

An update, from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Woman and child killed by train in 'suspicious circumstances'


Slough station is currently closed as emergency services carry out investigations

A woman and young child have died after being hit by a train in Slough, Berkshire, in "suspicious circumstances", police have said.

Police were called just before 09:45 BST and the station is currently closed.

A British Transport Police spokesman said they had not yet identified the victims and could not at this stage confirm the age or gender of the child.

They are appealing for witnesses to the incident.

A South Central Ambulance crew pronounced the two people dead at the scene.


The train is being investigated by police

A British Transport Police spokesman said: "The incident is currently being treated as suspicious. Officers are working to identify the deceased and a full investigation has been launched."

Passengers are being kept on the train, the 08:41 from Bedwyn to Paddington, while investigations are being carried out.

It had left Reading at 09:21 and was heading non-stop to Paddington.

First Great Western (FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) tweeted: "We are trying to get the train moving as soon as possible, but looks like it will be a little while yet."

Passenger Ian Creamer tweeted: "Our train is now a "crime scene" ... Never good to hear! Police, medical and @fgw staff finally arrived #slough".

FGW spokesman Dan Paynes said the train is currently stationary at Slough station and that "two of the four lines in and out of London Paddington are currently blocked as emergency services carry out their work".

He added: "This is having a knock on effect on our services."

FGW could not confirm the number of passengers on the train and have not been able to get extra staff on board.

Customers travelling to Slough station have been advised to travel to Langley or Burnham and will be able to use bus services.

[insider]

From sources @ Network Rail (but may not be correct), persons were an Adult Female and young male child.

Train involved was a Bedwyn to Paddington turbo, that would have been doing 90mph on the Up Main Line (platform 3), this is then normally followed by a the Up Oxford-Pad service which calls at Slough, and the platform is normally busy.

This could be a very very tragic accident???

[JayMac]

It was indeed a service from Bedwyn. The 0841 to Paddington.

Latest information given to FGW^▸ (First Great Western) staff on disruption and alternative travel arrangements:

Slough - Person hit by train:

Latest update is that the Station will reopen at 1400.

Relief lines are open. No trains to call at Slough until further notice. Main lines will remain closed until further notice. A reduced train service is in operation on routes from Paddington towards Reading.

Ticket Acceptance has been agreed on the following routes/services:
All reasonable routes on First Berkshire Buses and TfL^» (Transport for London - about) bus services that operate on reasonable routes in the outer London area. Central Line LUL^▸ (London Underground Ltd) services from Ealing BW. Virgin Trains between Euston and Birmingham, to allow connections with London Midland Services at Birmingham for Worcester and beyond. Chiltern Services between Marylebone and Banbury. South West Trains Services between Waterloo and Windsor & Eton Riverside and between Waterloo and Reading. Cross Country Services between Banbury, Oxford and Reading.

Gateline and Revenue Protection Teams are to show discretion with tickets as customers will be circulating via any reasonable routes and discretion is to be shown in regards to all journeys in the East Area.

Customers with tickets for today's travel to or from Stations East of Reading will be able to travel tomorrow.

[ChrisB]

As it says in the update above from the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page).

[ChrisB]

Updated report from BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page)

A woman and young child have died after being hit by a train in Slough, Berkshire, in "suspicious circumstances", police have said.

Police were called to the town's railway station, which remains closed, just before 09:45 BST.

Ch Insp Jenny Gilmer from British Transport Police said they had not yet identified the victims and could not confirm the age or gender of the child.

She added they did not believe there was "any third party involvement".

A South Central Ambulance crew pronounced the two people dead at the scene.

During a lunchtime news conference outside Slough station, where there is a heavy police presence, Ch Insp Gilmer said: "The incident is currently being treated as suspicious.

"Our detectives have launched a full investigation but they do not believe there was any third party involvement at the station".

First Great Western (FGW^▸ (First Great Western)) spokesman Dan Paynes said the station was expected to be closed "for some time".

The train, the 08:41 from Bedwyn, was able to resume its non-stop service to Paddington just after 13:00.

Mr Payne said two of the four lines in and out of London Paddington still currently blocked as emergency services carry out their work.

He said: "This is turning out to be a horrible incident and our thoughts are with everyone involved as well as the driver of the train.

"He is receiving all the support he needs and probably won't drive again for some time.

"It's the worst type of incident that any member of staff on the railway can come across."

Passenger Derek Darke, 62, said: "We had just passed Slough station when it sounded to me like stones hitting the train from the tracks.

"Another passenger said it sounded like the train had run over a bicycle.

"The brakes were put on fairly sharply and we ground to a halt. Then, unusually for a British train, all the passengers started talking to each other."

Commuters have been advised to check FGW's live travel updates for train cancellations and line alterations.

Passengers had earlier been kept onboard while investigations were carried out.

Passenger Ian Creamer tweeted: "Our train is now a "crime scene" ... Never good to hear! Police, medical and @fgw staff finally arrived #slough

My bold. Seems as though Murder/Suicide being investigated. And the driver is in a really bad state. Poor guy.

The Daily Mail has gone to town on it....

Two people thought to be mother and child die in suspected 'murder suicide' after being hit by train in Slough
Two people pronounced dead after 9.45am incident at station in Berkshire

Train driver 'apologised to passengers over PA^▸ (Public Address) system for hitting the pair'
Passengers onboard 8.41am Bedwyn-London train describe 'big impact'
Forensic investigators could later be seen working on platform and track
Police 'keeping an open mind' - but not ruling out 'foul play' in the deaths
Some passengers say they were told their train had become 'crime scene'


By Mark Duell for MailOnline

A mother and her child were believed to have died today in a suspected murder suicide after being hit by a train in ^suspicious circumstances^ at a packed commuter station.

They were declared dead at the scene in Slough, Berkshire, after the incident at 9.45am - and the driver was said to have apologised to passengers over the public address system for hitting the pair.

Passengers onboard the 8.41am Bedwyn to Paddington commuter train described feeling a ^big impact^ before the driver was forced to break the news of the deaths over the PA system.

Travellers told how he repeatedly apologised over the loud speaker while awaiting instructions from his control room. Forensic investigators could later be seen working on the platform and track.

Sources said police were 'keeping an open mind' - but were not ruling out 'foul play' in the deaths.

Train operator First Great Western said Slough station - which is on its line about 20 miles west of London Paddington - had been shut and there was ^no public access until further notice^.

Some passengers described on Twitter how they were told their train had become a ^crime scene^.

Ian Creamer from Newbury gave a running commentary, saying: 'This has suddenly turned into a terrible morning... Train just hit someone at Slough #FGW... Feel for driver and, of course, family.

^Our train is now a "crime scene"... Never good to hear! Police, medical and FGW staff finally arrived^ Police with evidence bags around the train...  And FGW staff with water on the train...

Passengers told how the train was travelling at ^quite a speed^ when it made an unscheduled stop.

Derek Darke, 62, had boarded the train at Theale, near Newbury, said: ^The train brakes then came on and we ground to halt and we obviously knew that there had been an incident.

'This has suddenly turned into a terrible morning. Train just hit someone at Slough. Feel for driver and, of course, family'

Ian Creamer, passenger


^The driver did the best he could to explain what was happening and then the police arrived and told us that the train was a crime scene.^

Another passenger said: ^I was in the middle carriage and everybody just looked at each other and said ^what was that^? It was quite some time before we realised that it was a person.

^And then to learn that it was a mother and child was just awful. The train driver was clearly very shocked, you could hear it in his voice, but he remained calm.^

The driver of the train which crashed had been left in a state of 'shock^ after the incident ^ and First Great Western insisted it would do its best to protect his welfare.

The train operator's director of communications Sue Evans said: ^The driver is currently in shock and devastated about what has happened.

^We do our best to protect our drivers in incidents like this and that involves keeping his identity secret, especially since the police are now involved.

'The driver is currently in shock and devastated about what has happened'
Sue Evans, First Great Western

^We met him off the train and he is now being looked after in our chain of care. We are really sad about this incident - our job as a train operator is to make sure people get to where they need to go.

^When an incident such as this happens we do our best to restore services as quickly as we can, which we are progressing well with.

^We have people on the concourse to help passengers and look after them as much as possible, we met the passengers off the Slough train when it arrived in London.^

Meanwhile, train staff gathered outside the station, which was cordoned off by police tape. A taxi driver, who did not want to be named, was queuing outside the station when the deaths happened.

He said: ^I heard the sirens and saw about four or five police cars arrive but we didn^t know it was this serious until the station was closed and everyone was forced to leave.

^It^s terrible what has happened, we can^t believe it. A mother and child. We^ve heard a lot of different things but we don^t know what has really happened.^

'The train brakes then came on and we ground to halt and we obviously knew that there had been an incident'

Derek Darke, passenger


A British Transport Police spokesman said today: ^Our officers were called to Slough railway station shortly before 9.45am, following reports that two people had been struck by a train.

^Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service also attended the incident, and two people were pronounced dead at the scene.

^The incident is currently being treated as suspicious. Officers are working to identify the deceased, and a full investigation has been launched. The station is currently closed while inquiries continue.^

And a First Great Western spokesman said on Twitter: 'Due to the incident at Slough station, the station is now closed and has no public access until further notice.

'For customers travelling to Slough station, please travel to Langley or Burnham and bus ticket acceptance for onward travel is in place.'

A South Central Ambulance Service spokesman said: ^We were called at 9.42am to reports of two people struck by a train. We sent two ambulance officers and an ambulance crew and two people were confirmed deceased at the scene.^

Meanwhile, First Great Western later revealed that in a separate incident today a person had been hit by a train almost 100 miles west on its line at Gloucester - but their condition was not yet known.

A spokesman said: 'Due to a person hit by a train at Gloucester, the station will be closed. No services will stop there and road transport is being arranged.'

Slough station, which is operated by First Great Western, has six platforms. Among the destinations to which passengers can travel directly are Reading, Oxford, Hereford, Great Malvern and London.

More than a century ago in June 1900, the station saw a major accident when an express train from London struck a local service that was at a standstill, killing five people and seriously injuring 35.

For confidential support call the Samaritans in the UK^▸ (United Kingdom) on 08457 90 90 90, visit a local Samaritans branch or click here for details