Police officer killed on railway was 'everything you want in an officer'

By Tom Oakley & Dan Martin

BBC News

A police sergeant who died after being hit by a train while trying to save a distressed man was “everything you want in an officer”, an ex-colleague said.

Sgt Graham Saville died on Tuesday after he was struck while responding to concerns over a man’s safety in Balderton, near Newark, on Thursday.

Insp Simon Riley said his former colleague was a “caring, compassionate, strong, determined” officer.

Another man, 29, remained in hospital on Tuesday after suffering non life-threatening electrocution injuries.

British Transport Police (BTP) is leading the investigation into Sgt Saville’s death.

PA News agency reported that in similar situations, emergency services would usually contact Network Rail’s route control to ensure the tracks were made safe before police officers attempted access.

However, it also understood there were some circumstances in which emergency workers may access the railway without making a call in order to prevent someone from coming to immediate harm.

BTP would not give details about what happened or whether such a call was made to Network Rail.

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at police stations across Nottinghamshire in tribute to Sgt Saville, who was the uncle of Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall.

The club confirmed a minute’s applause would be held later at Forest’s EFL Cup match against Burnley at the City Ground.

Floral tributes have been laid outside Newark Police Station, where Sgt Saville was based as a response officer.

Insp Simon Riley, chair of Nottinghamshire Police Federation, said he worked alongside Sgt Saville in Nottingham.

“It’s fair to say that it’s absolutely devastated the force – from everyone who we’ve spoken to and everyone who has contacted us. Everyone is deeply saddened [by the news],” he told BBC Radio Four’s Today programme.

“Graham was an officer under my command a few years ago when I was a response inspector in the city.

“He was everything you would want in a police officer. He was caring, compassionate, strong, determined and generally an all-round good professional police officer.

“[The man in distress survived] which is testament to the actions of Graham Saville last Thursday evening.”

Insp Riley said other police officers who arrived at the scene and witnessed the incident before giving first aid to the men had been receiving support.

“It’s indicative of the dangers that our members put themselves in – day-in, day-out, shift-in, shift-out – in order to protect the public,” he said.

“There were indeed a number of colleagues present; unfortunately, they did witness the incident and we have been providing support to them as you can probably understand it has been very traumatic to them.”

Insp Riley added: “The types of incidents that our members are called to are very often very dynamic, fast-paced and our members are expected to make decisions very quickly on the hoof.

“I’m sure in due course of the investigation there may be things that we need to consider, there may be lessons that may need to be learned, but it’s too early to be discussing those at the minute.”

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, of the Metropolitan Police – where Sgt Saville’s career began – said he was “devastated” to learn of his death.

“He joined as a special constable before transferring over to the regular service,” he said.

“His time with us was spent across neighbourhood teams and response, both roles at the heart of community policing.

“Sgt Saville was demonstrating the very best of policing when he was injured. Courageously and selflessly, he was prepared to risk his life to save another. In what is the most unimaginable moments for them, Graham’s loved ones, his colleagues both within Nottinghamshire and here in the Met, can rightly be proud of him.”

An online fundraiser to support Sgt Saville’s family has raised more than £95,000.

Former Nottinghamshire Police officer Dan Fletcher launched the fundraising page, which has passed its original target of £50,000.

He told BBC Radio Nottingham: “I’m grateful for every single donation but it’s not just the donations but the messages of support – there was a an outpouring of love and support.

“It was heartwarming to know members of the public do really appreciate the police.”

By Phil Mackie, BBC Midlands correspondent

The man who was in the distressed condition had been electrocuted. He was pulled off the line before the train could get there and he is still being treated in hospital.

Investigators are focusing their attention on the access to the East Coast Main Line.

As well as this, they will be investigating why, when there was a police incident already under way, nothing had been done, or why they have not been able to stop the train coming through.

Either something had been done or the message had not got through – so that will be the focus of the investigation.

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