Selby Abbey holds memorial for Great Heck Railway Tragedy
Yesterday (Saturday, February 28) marked the 25th anniversary of the Great Heck Railway Tragedy. Ten people lost their lives and 82 were injured when two trains collided near Great Heck at approximately 4.45am on February 28, 2001. It came after a Great North Eastern Railway (GNER) train, travelling from Newcastle to London, struck a Land Rover towing a Renault Savanna on a trailer.
The train partially derailing before a southbound Freightliner train collided with a passenger train. The Land Rover had left the M62, travelling down an embankment to the East Coast Main Line. Recommended reading:
The freight train driver, the passenger train driver and eight passengers were killed. Those killed in the disaster were: Steve Dunn, John Weedle, Christopher Terry, Robert Shakespeare, Raymond Robson, Paul Taylor, Barry Needham, Alan Ensor, Clive Vidgen and Stephen Baldwin. 
They were remembered in a poignant ceremony held at Selby Abbey on Saturday (February 28). The service was attended by the families of those who died, survivors, emergency services, industry colleagues and LNER representatives.
'Today is first and foremost about the ten men who never came home'
Speaking about this, Inspector Rob Campbell for North Yorkshire Police said: "I attended today as the local Neighbourhood Policing Inspector, but also as someone who has lived just a couple of villages away from Great Heck my entire life. "Today is first and foremost about the ten men who never came home, and about the families and loved ones who have carried that loss every single day for 25 years.
"It is also about the survivors, those who were injured, some very seriously, and the many more who carried invisible wounds long after that morning. "But today is also a day of profound gratitude. "To the emergency services who responded in darkness and bitter cold to scenes no training can fully prepare you for.
To the police officers, fire crews, the paramedics, the medical professionals across the region who worked tirelessly to save lives. "And to this community, which came together without being asked. "It was a moment that reminded me why days like today matter so much, not just to remember, but to come together.
"I feel genuinely privileged to have served alongside officers from North Yorkshire Police and West Yorkshire Police who were there that day. "What they faced, and what they carried afterwards, deserves to be acknowledged and remembered." 
Deputy Managing Director at LNER, Warrick Dent, said it was a "privilege" to join those in attendance at the service. He said: "Saturday was dedicated to remembering and honouring those involved in the tragic incident at Great Heck 25 years ago. "It was a privilege to join with the families of those who lost loved ones, alongside survivors, emergency service workers, rail colleagues, and the local community to pay our respects to those who lost their lives.
"They will always be remembered."