A man in his 40s died after being struck by a train near Welwyn North railway station, following his escape from a custody vehicle on the A1(M) motorway. The incident occurred on Thursday morning, according to Hertfordshire Police and British Transport Police.
The man broke free from the stationary van while being transported from a police station to a court hearing. An altercation in the vehicle led to two transport contractor staff being taken to hospital, though their injuries are not believed to be serious.
British Transport Police conducted a search of the area after the escape and discovered the casualty on the tracks close to Welwyn North station. Formal identification has yet to take place, but the man's family has been informed.
Local resident David Elsdon, 82, described the large police presence as 'a bit of a shock'. He told the BBC: 'We were just out the front ready to leave for the town and inundated with a number of police cars coming along.'
Hertfordshire Police has referred the matter to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, and a file has been passed to the coroner. Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances.
