GNER make statement on Selby rail disaster

Following this morning's rail accident at Selby, a statement on the GNER website reads -

GNER confirms that its 0445 Newcastle to London King’s Cross service was involved in an incident today at 0612 at Great Heck on the east coast main line between York and Doncaster.

The 225 electric train is believed to have struck the debris of an earlier collision between a freight train and a road vehicle on the line.

The location is close to the point where the M62 motorway crosses over the railway line.

After leaving Newcastle, the train called at Durham (0457), Darlington (0515); Northallerton (0531); York (0559).

It is estimated that there may have been up to 100 passengers on board the train at the time of the collision. All nine coaches of the GNER train are reported to have been de-railed by the collision.

Information on casualties will be available from the North Yorkshire Police. The telephone number is 0207 8347777.

GNER is assisting the emergency services rescue operation and working with Railtrack and the Police to determine the cause of the collision.

GNER is running services between London and Leeds. A train shuttle service is running between York and Newcastle. Bad weather has curtailed services between Newcastle and Berwick which have been replaced a road coach service. Passengers are recommended not to travel today unless absolutely necessary.