Man killed by train fled custody van after arrest

A man hit and killed by a train after escaping custody had been arrested and was on his way to court, police have said.

The suspect, in his 40s, fled from a transport contractor's vehicle that had come to a standstill on the A1(M) in Hertfordshire at about 09:00 BST on Thursday.

Serco said two members of its escort team sustained "very serious injuries" after being assaulted as the van travelled from a custody suite at Stevenage police station to Hatfield Remand Court.

Following a search of the area, police said they were called at about 09:40 to a casualty on the track near Welwyn North railway station. They have not revealed why the man had been arrested.

A spokesperson for Serco, the company that had been transporting the man, said: "Two members of our prisoner escort team were severely assaulted by a man being transferred to court which resulted in very serious injuries.

"He then escaped from custody.

"Police and ambulance attended the scene, and our two staff members were taken to hospital for treatment."

In a joint statement, British Transport Police and Hertfordshire Police said the incident had been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC).

The IOPC said an assessment would be made "in due course before deciding whether any further action is required".

The man has not been named, but his family have been made aware, a police spokesperson said.

Inquiries were continuing "to establish the full circumstances", they added.

A file has been prepared for the coroner.

Thameslink confirmed one of its trains had been involved in the incident and the line reopened at about 13:45.

It said services had been delayed into the evening and apologised for any disruption caused.

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