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A public memorial service will be held at Selby Abbey later this month to mark the 25th anniversary of the Great Heck train disaster (Selby rail crash), the worst rail accident in the UK this century.
The service will take place at 2pm on Saturday 28 February at the historic abbey in the centre of Selby, North Yorkshire. Organisers say the event is open to all and will provide an opportunity for families, survivors, railway staff and local residents to remember those who lost their lives and to reflect on the impact the tragedy had on the community.
The disaster occurred in the early hours of 28 February 2001 when a Land Rover towing a trailer left the M62 motorway and came to rest on the East Coast Main Line near the village of Great Heck. Moments later the 04.45 Great North Eastern Railway service from Newcastle to London struck the vehicle and partially derailed. A southbound freight train carrying coal then collided with the passenger train.
Ten people were killed – including both train drivers – and more than 80 others were injured, some with life-changing wounds. More than 1,000 emergency service responders from across Yorkshire and neighbouring counties were involved in the rescue and recovery operation, one of the largest ever mounted in the region.
The collision prompted major changes to rail safety and emergency response procedures and remains a defining event in modern British transport history.
Selby Abbey, founded in 1069, was chosen as the venue because of its long association with the town and its role in supporting those affected in the aftermath of the crash. Tony Thompson, coordinator of the GH25 memorial, said the anniversary was an important moment to “honour the memories of those who died and to recognise the courage of everyone who responded on that day.”
Further details about the service are available from GH25 Memorial Service coordinator Tony Thompson, a former British Transport Police superintendent who attended the scene following the crash: GH25memorial@gmail.com.
Anyone wishing to watch the memorial service remotely can do so via the live stream here.
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