Train driver is a hero
Published: March 6, 2007
The driver of the train which derailed in Cumbria has been hailed a hero by his boss, Sir Richard Branson.
Ian Black, a former police officer, was at the controls when the Virgin Pendolino came off the rails near Grayrigg, Cumbria.
The train, which can reach speeds of 125mph and tilts on the track, crashed at 8.15pm on Friday and slid down an embankment killing one person and seriously injuring 11.
But Sir Richard said he believes the accident could have been far worse if it had not been for the bravery of the driver.
He said: “He is a definitely a hero. In the sober light of day we will have to see if he can be recognised as such.
“The driver came around the corner, the line was defective and the train went off the line. But he has carried on sitting in his carriage for half a mile, running the train on the stone.
“He could have tried to get back and protect himself but he didn’t and he has ended up quite badly injured.
“The good news is that he can move his hands and both his legs so although it’s a bad neck injury I think the prognosis is positive and we look forward to having him back as a train driver.”
Mr Black has been joined at his hospital bedside by his girlfriend, a union colleague said. Kevin Lindsay, Scotland organiser of train driver’s union Aslef, said he had spoken to Mr Black several times yesterday.
He said Mr Black, who has been a train driver since 2000 and is a member of Aslef, had done well trying to prevent the crash.
He said: “Our member has done a wonderful job in driving the train and at this moment he is in hospital.
“We hope that he will make a speedy recovery. Mr Black’s girlfriend is by his side, and I have spoken to them both today.”
Consultant Eymon Jundi, who is treating Mr Black at the Royal Preston Hospital in Lancashire, said: “He is in very good spirits but shaken by the events.
“He will probably spend a week or 10 days in hospital.”
The train driver has a broken collar bone and a broken bone in his neck and is likely to be in hospital for a month, his union ASLEF said last night.
Their spokesman added: “He really is a reluctant hero.”
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