Man escapes custody van before being struck and killed by high-speed train | UK | News

A man died after being hit by a high-speed train after escaping from the detention vehicle that was taking him from the police station to a hearing, according to police.

In a joint statement, Hertfordshire Police and British Transport Police (BTP) confirmed that the man, believed to be in his 40s, escaped from the vehicle while it was stationary on the A1.

Following his escape, BTP officers searched the area and discovered an injured person on the tracks near Welwyn North railway station.

Two staff from a transport contractor were also taken to hospital during an escape attempt following an “altercation in the van”, but neither are believed to have suffered serious injuries.

The body has not yet been officially identified, but police confirmed the man’s family had been informed of the incident.

Police confirmed the escape took place around 9am on Thursday. Hertfordshire Police referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct and a file was forwarded to the coroner.

Local resident David Elsdon, 82, who lives near the train station, said he had never witnessed such a heavy police presence before and described the incident as “a bit shocking”.

“As we were about to leave for town we were out front and were overwhelmed by a lot of police cars coming at us,” he told the BBC.

“I think we got through 10 in total before we hit the main road.” A police spokesman confirmed in a statement that “investigations are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and officers will remain in the area whilst initial inquiries continue”.