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A man in his 40s who escaped from a custody vehicle was fatally struck by a train, according to police statements. The individual fled a transport contractor’s van while it was stationary on the A1(M) motorway. This vehicle had been transferring him from Stevenage police station to court. The British Transport Police (BTP) were alerted shortly after 09:40 BST when a body was discovered on the tracks near Welwyn North railway station.
Hertfordshire Police and BTP issued a joint statement explaining that, although formal identification of the deceased has yet to be completed, his family has been informed. The incident took place following an altercation within the transport van, during which two staff members of the contractor sustained injuries. These individuals were transported to the hospital by ambulance for treatment. The altercation reportedly occurred at around 09:00.
An official investigation is underway, with Hertfordshire Police referring the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. Investigators are continuing to gather information to understand the full circumstances surrounding the man’s escape and subsequent death. A file regarding the incident has been compiled for the coroner, and officers remain on site as inquiries proceed.
Local resident David Elsdon, 82, who lives near the station in the village of Digswell, described the scene as overwhelming, noting he had never witnessed such a police presence before. He recounted that numerous police vehicles passed by just as he and his family were preparing to leave for town, estimating that about ten police cars went past before they reached the main road. Meanwhile, National Rail reported disruptions on Thameslink, LNER, and Great Northern services passing through Hertfordshire, Peterborough, and Cambridgeshire. Though train lines have since reopened, some delays and cancellations continue, with Thameslink confirming one of its trains was involved in the incident and advising passengers to check travel updates before setting out
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