Salisbury train crash: residents and emergency services praised
Salisbury's MP says locals showed community spirit
Salisbury is beginning to recover from a major incident that saw 13 people injured from two trains that collided in tunnel.
Nearly a hundred people were evacuated with many taken to St Mark's Church in Salisbury.
The City's MP, Mayor and Wiltshire’s Police and Crime Commissioner have praised residents for rallying round those that needed help as they brought blankets, biscuits and chocolate to the makeshift casualty centre.
John Glen, MP for Salisbury and South Wiltshire said:
"Locals who helped at St Mark's Church and individuals who came forward with support, practical support and obviously it helped the shock that so many people would have felt at such an awful incident occurring. But the people of Salisbury are very resilient, but they're also very kind and community minded. And I'm very pleased but not surprised that this response was found once again at the heart of our efforts."
John Glen was going to get the train from Salisbury train station to London on the night of the incident
"There were a lot of people waiting and a lot of trains cancelled. The incident would have just happened within the hour. I returned back to my apartment in the centre of Salisbury where I live and then I was made aware that there had been an incident. My first reaction was, you know, obviously concerned about how many were injured, and obviously I did concern myself with whether anyone had been killed.
"But within an hour or two that became clear that that probably hadn't happened and I was very relieved. Obviously we have gone through lots in Salisbury in recent years. And, you know, clearly not to have any fatalities is a positive aspect of this unfortunate incident."
Wiltshire’s PCC thanked emergency responders first on-the-scene of yesterday’s train crash in Salisbury and praised the city’s resilience and willingness to help in the aftermath.
Philip Wilkinson, alongside Salisbury Mayor Caroline Corbin, visited the scene of the train crash, close to London Road, yesterday.
He said: “Last night’s crash will have been terrifying and extremely traumatic for all involved. It is extremely fortunate, and I am so relieved, that no fatalities occurred. My thoughts are very much with all those injured last night, and the train driver in particular who we now know has sadly suffered life-changing injuries
“Last night, the images coming from the incident were horrifying but, in the cold light of day, you can see just how easily we could have a very different situation on our hands. As ever the actions of our emergency service workers have been exemplary and I would like to thank them all for their swiftness and the co-ordinated, joined-up, response which delivered all passengers to safety.
“I am proud to work alongside such professionalism in the face of such dark circumstances. Those injured are receiving excellent care in hospital and I hope others who have been part of such a terrifying and traumatic experience take up any offers of support or counselling they may need. Now attention will turn to the cause of the crash and we will all be paying close attention to any findings and monitoring the outcome.”
Salisbury Mayor Caroline Corbin, whose husband Tom is a train driver, said the incident has left her and the city shocked.
She said: “I am truly sorry to hear about the train crash which occurred in our city last night. I am hugely relieved that there were no fatalities and wish those who were injured in the collision a speedy recovery.
“I would like to thank our fantastic emergency services for their response to the incident and thank you also to all the members of our community who helped. It’s important that passengers involved last night are able to access the appropriate mental health support to help them process what must have been a terrifying experience.”