Train delays after body found on line at Maidenhead, 2 December 2009

[whole diary]

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Maidenhead Advertiser:

Train delays after body found on line

Police have confirmed the 'obstruction' on the railway line in Maidenhead this morning was a body.

Trains are delayed to and from London following the discovery by a train driver, who saw a 'heap' near to the line.

British Transport Police officers were called to Highfield Lane at about 9.45am.

"A person's body was discovered at the scene and the incident is currently being treated as unexplained," a BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) spokesman said. "Enquiries to establish the person's identity and the exact circumstances surrounding the death are currently ongoing."

A spokesman for First Great Western said that two lines were closed at Maidenhead with some trains in both directions not making usual stops at Maidenhead, Slough and Twyford. "Train services are being disrupted due to a person hit by a train between Slough and Reading. Short notice alterations and delays of up to 30 minutes can be expected," he said.

[johoare]

hhmm.. it makes me think that somehow people will have to be stopped from  getting access to rail lines totally.. Although it's still not possible to stop people going over bridges that go over railways...

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the BBC^» (British Broadcasting Corporation - home page):

Man's body found near rail track in Berkshire 

A man whose body was found next to a railway track in Berkshire suffered injuries consistent with being hit by a train, police have said.

Andrew Shepherd, 44, was discovered by a train driver on the line between Maidenhead and Twyford on Wednesday, and the service was stopped.

A post-mortem examination is due to be carried out on Mr Shepherd, from Maidenhead, and an inquest opened.

Thames Valley Police initially treated the death as unexplained.

[eightf48544]

Local gossip has it that this is a well known "shortcut" across the railway and that the police (not sure if BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) or TV) have mounted observations to catch people.

It apparently saves a long walk round.

[Chris from Nailsea]

More information on this sad incident, from the Maidenhead Advertiser:

Body on railway line was missing man

The person found dead on the railway line yesterday morning was a 44-year-old man from Maidenhead.

British Transport Police have named him as Andrew Shepherd, of Cox Green, who went missing on Saturday.

Officers are still investigating the death after the body was found just before 9.45am by a train driver near to the track by Highfield Lane.

It is thought that the death is 'non-suspicious' and that a file is being prepared for the coroner. A post mortem is expected to be held today.

First Great Western announced on its website yesterday that a person had been hit by a train. The incident caused delays in both directions between London Paddington and Reading.

[johoare]

Local gossip has it that this is a well known "shortcut" across the railway and that the police (not sure if BTP^▸ (British Transport Police) or TV) have mounted observations to catch people.

It apparently saves a long walk round.

That is quite strange as there is a bridge over the railway in Highfield lane....

[Chris from Nailsea]

From the Maidenhead Advertiser:

Missing man was hit by a train, inquest heard

A security officer was hit by a train after straying onto tracks behind his house, an inquest has heard.
The body of Andrew Shepherd, (pictured) of Barn Drive, Maidenhead, was found on December 2 after a train driver reported seeing what appeared to be a bundle of clothes next to the line.
The 44-year-old had been reported missing three days earlier and was last seen by his wife Jacqueline on November 28 when he left the house to go for a walk.
Statements from friends were read out at Windsor's Guildhall today which said Mr Shepherd had been down about money in the months leading up to his death and was considering harming himself.
Recording a verdict of suicide, Berkshire coroner Peter Bedford said although nobody witnessed the incident, the evidence pointed to a deliberate act.

Chris.