Sergeant’s train death could have been prevented

The death of a police sergeant struck by a train could have been prevented if the control room had not delayed contacting Network Rail, a coroner has said.

Married father of two Graham Saville had been trying to help a vulnerable man when he was hit by the high-speed train, and died in hospital five days later.

His inquest heard he and two colleagues approached the railway line in Nottinghamshire after the control room falsely said it was contacting Network Rail.

Coroner Laurinda Bower said if Network Rail had been contacted sooner, it could have put a “caution” on the line – meaning trains would have slowed down and the collision would not have occurred.

Sgt Saville was struck at 19:08 BST on 24 August 2023 – only 20 seconds after the call to Network Rail was eventually made.

Sgt Saville’s family said the inquest had “unfortunately revealed some shocking and disturbing information”.

“The inquest has identified deficiencies in so many areas, which, had they been in place and followed, could have prevented this tragedy occurring,” they said in a statement.

However, they said the inquest had also shown them that Sgt Saville and his colleagues were “focused on protecting and serving”, and it was “important to shine a light on this aspect”.

“Many hundreds of officers across the country fulfil this duty day in and day out and this is never acknowledged,” the statement added.

The inquest heard Sgt Saville, a response officer, had been deployed following a 999 call about a man referred to at the inquest as Patient C.

Patient C had a history of suicide attempts, the inquest was told, and had called the ambulance service at 18:47 saying he had left his house, was heading towards the railway line in Balderton, and intended to walk in front of a train because he was “not able to do this any more”.

The inquest heard the correct procedure should have been for the police control room to contact Network Rail before Patient C even reached the railway line.

However, this did not happen.

When the coroner asked dispatcher Jack Richardson why there was a delay, he said he thought Network Rail did not need to be contacted unless someone had entered a railway.

The inquest also heard the control room called Network Rail on an incorrect number, which was an emergency line for the public, rather than the one police were meant to use.

Sgt Saville was at the side of the railway line when he was struck by the train, which was travelling at about 125mph.

He had discharged his Taser in the direction of Patient C, and the coroner said this would have meant he needed to position himself closer, as the optimal firing distance was between two and four metres.

“He was starting to move away from the line when he was struck,” she said.

He was given first aid by his colleagues and taken to the Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

However, he died in hospital on 29 August, with his cause of death given as multiple injuries.

In her findings, the coroner said the delay in contacting Network Rail “probably more than minimally contributed to Graham’s death”.

She also said the collision “would not have occurred if a caution had been placed on the line”.

Ms Bower said there had been a further delay by a senior officer telling Sgt Saville and his two colleagues not to enter the line, and this had “probably more than minimally contributed” to his death.

The coroner gave a narrative conclusion, which summarised how Sgt Saville had died, and said his death had been “wholly preventable”.

His widow, Joanne Saville, then thanked the coroner for what she said had been a “full and fearless” inquest, while saying it had been “painful to hear”.

“We have the full facts and the answers to our questions and this is important not only now, but for the future, if, when or should our children wish to know everything,” she said.

Nottinghamshire Police said since Sgt Saville’s death, it had given additional training to police officers and control room staff about the dangers of entering railway lines.

The force added it had built a colour coded map system, which highlights all railway lines, and which numbers control room staff should contact.

This followed an investigation by the Health and Safety Executive.

Ch Supt Claire Rukas, force lead for corporate services, said: “We have taken their investigation extremely seriously. Staff safety is paramount, and we have therefore swiftly addressed the important points they have raised.”

Speaking after the inquest, temporary Chief Constable Steve Cooper said Sgt Saville was an “excellent police officer”.

“Graham has been described by his colleagues as dependable, respected, compassionate and supportive,” he said.

“As a force we will continue to ensure that Graham, his service and sacrifice is never forgotten.”