Rail Industry Unites to Remember Great Heck Crash 25 Years On
In a memorial service at Selby Abbey, LNER joined with colleagues from the rail industry to remember those who died in or were impacted by the Great Heck rail crash, 25 years on.
In the early hours of 28 February 2001, a Land Rover towing a trailer left the M62 motorway, came down the motorway embankment and came to rest on the East Coast Main Line.
Moments later, the 04.45 Great North Eastern Railway service from Newcastle to London struck the vehicle and partially derailed, before a southbound Freightliner train collided with the passenger train.
Ten people died, including the drivers of the two trains involved, and 82 people were injured.
On Saturday (28 February), uniting alongside family and friends of those involved, first responders, and representatives from emergency services, LNER and industry colleagues paid tribute to those who lost their lives in a service at Selby Abbey on the 25th anniversary of the incident.
The service saw around 200 people join together to remember the incident and those involved, before a wreath laying service at the memorial garden in Great Heck.
Warrick Dent, Deputy Managing Director at LNER, said: “Saturday was dedicated to remembering and honouring those involved in the tragic incident at Great Heck 25 years ago. It was a privilege to join with the families of those who lost loved ones, alongside survivors, emergency service workers, rail colleagues, and the local community to pay our respects to those who lost their lives. They will always be remembered.”
Gunnar Lindahl, joint operations director for Network Rail and LNER, said: “It’s really important that we come together to remember all those who sadly lost their lives and were injured at Great Heck 25 years ago. Our thoughts will always remain with those affected by this tragedy.”