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Deaths of woman and child hit by train at Slough treated as ‘suspicious’ Deaths of woman and child hit by train at Slough treated as ‘suspicious’
(about 3 hours later)
A woman and a child have died after being struck by a train at Slough station in Berkshire. A mother and her 10-year-old son have died after being struck by a train at a busy station in a suspected murder-suicide.
British Transport police (BTP) said they did not believe there was any “third-party involvement at the station” but the deaths were still being treated as suspicious. The woman, 48, and boy were pronounced dead at the scene after falling from a platform at Slough station in Berkshire during the morning rush-hour on Tuesday.
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. The two have not yet been formally identified but are believed to have lived locally, police said.
Sources said detectives were not ruling out foul play while investigating the circumstances of the deaths. British Transport police said they did not believe there was any third-party involvement but the deaths were still being treated as suspicious. Sources said detectives were not ruling out foul play while investigating the deaths.
Detectives were trying to establish the identities of the woman and child. Slough station was turned into a crime scene shortly after the incident at around 9.45am, as forensic investigators and paramedics headed to the scene. Shaken onlookers were interviewed by officers before being led away from the train, which was declared a crime scene.
Shaken onlookers were interviewed by police officers before being led away from the train, which was declared a crime scene. One passenger, Ian Creamer, said 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.”
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.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 public address 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.”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 public address 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 disruptions to train services after the incident involving the 8.41am service from Bedwyn to London Paddington. Derek Darke, who was on board the London bound train, wrote: “Our train to London has hit and killed 2 people at Slough. Police treating as a crime scene. Poor driver keeps apologising. Not his fault.”
“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. A taxi driver, who did not want to be named, was queuing outside the station when the deaths happened.
“Thames Valley police and South Central ambulance service also attended the incident, and a woman and child were pronounced dead at the scene. He said: “I was just waiting for a job when I heard the sirens and saw about four or five police cars arrive but we didn’t know it was this serious until the station was closed and everyone was forced to leave.
“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. “It’s terrible what has happened, we can’t believe it. A mother and child. We’ve heard a lot of different things but we don’t know what has really happened.”
“The station is currently closed while enquiries continue. Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward. There were severe disruptions to train services after the incident involving the 8.41am service from Bedwyn in Wiltshire to London Paddington.
“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 transport police spokesman said: “Investigating officers are now appealing for anyone with information about the incident to come forward.
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.” “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.”
Anyone with information can call police on 0800 405040 or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.