Man killed by train after escaping vehicle on way to court

A man hit and killed by a train had escaped from a custody vehicle travelling from a police station to court, police said.

The man, in his 40s, escaped the transport contractor's vehicle as it was stationary on the A1(M) motorway, a joint statement from Hertfordshire Police and British Transport Police (BTP) said.

It said during a search of the area, BTP was called at about 09:40 BST to a casualty on the track near Welwyn North railway station.

The statement said formal identification had not taken place, but the man's family had been made aware.

Hertfordshire Police said the vehicle had been travelling from the custody suite at Stevenage police station.

The forces said two members of transport contractor staff were injured "during an altercation in the van" and were taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment.

It happened at about 09:00.

Hertfordshire Police has referred the incident to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

A file has been prepared for the coroner.

Inquiries are continuing "to establish the full circumstances and officers will remain in the area while initial investigations continue", a spokesperson said.

National Rail said earlier train services had been delayed but the line had reopened with some delays and cancellations still expected.

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