Memorial event planned at Selby Abbey for Great Heck train disaster anniversary
25 years on, community and responders invited to commemorate tragic train crash
A memorial service is scheduled at Selby Abbey on 28th February to mark the 25th anniversary of the Great Heck train disaster.
The tragedy happened when a Land Rover towing a trailer left the M62 motorway, went down an embankment, and ended up on the East Coast Main Line. The vehicle was struck by a high-speed passenger train traveling from London to Newcastle, which then derailed and collided with an oncoming freight train. The crash killed 10 people and injured more than 80, making it one of the deadliest rail accidents in the UK in recent decades.
Organised by Tony Thompson, a former superintendent with the British Transport Police who attended the scene, the memorial aims to bring together families, responders, and community members affected by the incident.
Thompson, who coordinated emergency responses during several major train crashes, recalls the disaster as particularly impactful.
He reflected on the event, noting, "There were over 1278 emergency responders at that scene, including 472 police officers, 167 firefighters and 128 ambulance personnel—a testament to the extraordinary multi-agency effort."
Upon arriving at the scene, Thompson said, "I stood on the little bridge over the railway line with sort of wreckage scattered around on both sides."
"You certainly appreciate how large and complicated trains are when they are derailed," he said, highlighting the complexity of rescue, recovery, and investigation efforts.
He continued, "This was described in one of the national papers as a billion to one horror."
"The emergency services descended on this small picturesque little sleepy Yorkshire village and it was turned into almost like a disaster movie."
Thompson remembered showing families around the scene, recalling, "Quite a few of them wanted to know what happened to their loved one."
"You don't forget these things."
"It's important that we pause to remember and never forget, and that's the purpose of this particular service. We want to honour the memories of those who lost their lives and the bravery of all involved."
"I promised that I would do what I could to remember the events in the years to come. I promised those affected and their families, that this memorial would be a time to share memories and offer comfort."
The service at Selby Abbey is open to all and begins at 2pm.