A man died after being struck by a train near Welwyn North station on Thursday morning after escaping from a custody vehicle while being taken to court, as police in south London evacuated homes in a separate emergency incident.
Hertfordshire Police said the man escaped from the custody van on the A1 following an altercation with security guards. He then crossed railway lines and was hit by a train near Welwyn North station at about 9am, causing widespread travel disruption on the railway network. The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct (IOPC), which will investigate the circumstances of the death and the actions of those involved.
“A man died after escaping a custody van and being hit by a train near Welwyn North, leading to travel chaos, while police in south London evacuated homes in a separate emergency incident.”
The British Transport Police and Hertfordshire Police are continuing to investigate the incident. Rail services in the area were delayed or cancelled, with passengers advised to check their journeys.
Separately, police in south London evacuated people from their homes on Thursday in what was described as an emergency incident. No further details have been released by authorities, but residents were advised to avoid the area while emergency services dealt with the situation.
The IOPC will conduct a full independent investigation into the man's death, including the actions of the security guards and the police. Inquiries are ongoing to establish the exact sequence of events.
For commuters in Hertfordshire, the incident at Welwyn North caused significant delays and cancellations. Travelers were urged to seek alternative routes or delay journeys. In south London, those affected by the evacuation were asked to remain away from their homes until further notice.
An inquest into the man's death is expected to open in due course.