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Deaths of woman and child hit by train at Slough treated as ‘suspicious’ Police treating deaths of woman and child hit by train near Slough as 'suspicious'
(about 1 hour later)
A woman and a child have died after being struck by a train at Slough station in Berkshire.A woman and a child have died after being struck by a train at Slough station in Berkshire.
British Transport police (BTP) said the deaths were being treated as suspicious and investigators are appealing for witnesses. Sources said officers were keeping an open mind and were not ruling out foul play. British Transport police (BTP) said it did not believe there was any “third-party involvement at the station” but the deaths were still being treated as suspicious.
Rail services were cancelled and changed as the station was closed. Some passengers tweeted that they had been told their train was being treated as a crime scene. Police and paramedics were called to Slough station shortly before 9.45am, after reports that two people had been hit by a train. A woman and a child were pronounced dead at the scene.
One said: “Our train is now a ‘crime scene’ … Never good to hear! Police, medical and FGW [First Great Western] staff finally arrived.” Sources said detectives were not ruling out foul play while investigating the circumstances of the deaths.
A BTP spokesman said: “Our officers were called to Slough railway station shortly before 9.45am following reports that two people had been struck by a train. Thames Valley police and South Central ambulance service also attended the incident, and a woman and child were pronounced dead at the scene. Detectives were trying to establish the identities of the woman and child.
“The incident is currently being treated as suspicious and detectives have launched a full investigation. The station is currently closed while inquiries continue. Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.” Shaken onlookers were interviewed by police officers before being led away from the train, which was declared a crime scene.
One train passenger, Ian Creamer, said that investigators took photographs and evidence bags from under the train when they arrived. Describing the moment the train struck the pair, Creamer said there was a “sudden braking, followed by horrible metallic scraping under the train. Thought something [had] fallen off the train.”
Slough station remained closed and there was a heavy police presence on Tuesday afternoon, with officers guarding the entrance as detectives carried out forensic work on the tracks and platform.
First Great Western said the train driver was being treated for shock by specially-trained health workers. Passengers said the driver apologised repeatedly over the train’s tannoy system in the moments after the incident. Tommy Taylor, one of those on board, tweeted: “Poor driver. Hits two people and he’s apologising to the passengers – screw us mate, I hope you’re alright.”
There were severe disruption to train services after the incident involving the 8.41am service from Bedwyn to London Paddington.
“Our officers were called to Slough railway station shortly before 9.45am on Tuesday, 23 September, following reports that two people had been struck by a train,” a BTP spokesman said.
“Thames Valley Police and South Central Ambulance Service also attended the incident, and a woman and child were pronounced dead at the scene.
“The incident is currently being treated as suspicious, and detectives have launched a full investigation, though they do not believe there was any third party involvement at the station.
“The station is currently closed while enquiries continue. Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
“If you can help, please call British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111. In all calls please quote log ESUB/B3 of 23/9/14.”
A South Central ambulance service spokeswoman said: “We were called at 9.42am to reports of two people struck by a train. We sent two ambulance officers and an ambulance crew and two people were confirmed deceased at the scene.”A South Central ambulance service spokeswoman said: “We were called at 9.42am to reports of two people struck by a train. We sent two ambulance officers and an ambulance crew and two people were confirmed deceased at the scene.”
Anyone with information can call police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.Anyone with information can call police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.