Man killed by train believed to have escaped custody van

Shortly after 9am, a man aged in his 40s who was being conveyed to court by a transport contractor escaped from the vehicle, which was stationary on the hard shoulder of A1(M) southbound carriageway.

A search of the area followed, but at around 9.40am the British Transport Police received reports of a casualty on the tracks near Welwyn North railway station.

Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of the escaped man are aware and a file has been prepared for the coroner.

In a joint statement by Herts police and the British Transport Police, it was confirmed that two members of transport contractor staff injured during an altercation in the van.

The man in his 40s escaped from the van on the A1(M). (Image: Grace Allsun)

Enquiries are ongoing to establish what happened, with the incident also referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct.

"Police are currently at the scene of an incident close to Welwyn North train station, alongside colleagues from the British Transport Police," the statement read.

"Shortly after 9am today, a man aged in his 40s who was being conveyed to court by a transport contractor escaped from the vehicle, which was stationary on the hard shoulder of the A1(M) carriageway.

"An area search followed, with multiple resources deployed. Sadly, during the search, BTP officers were called at around 9.40am to reports of a casualty on the tracks near Welwyn North railway station.

The incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct. (Image: Grace Allsun)

"Formal identification has yet to take place, but the family of the escaped man are aware. A file has been prepared for the coroner.

"Enquiries are ongoing to establish the full circumstances and officers will remain in the area while initial investigations continue.

"Two members of transport contractor staff injured during an altercation in the van were taken by ambulance to hospital for treatment.

"As a matter of protocol, the incident has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct by Hertfordshire Constabulary."

If you feel affected by what has happened and wish to find support, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 via phone for a confidential chat or email jo@samaritans.org.