Potters Bar train crash: Service pays tribute 20 years later UK News

Six of the victims were passengers, who were: Austen Kark, 75; Emma Knights, 29; Chia-hsin Lin, 29; Prince Alexander Ogunwusi, 42; Jonael Schickler, 25, and Chia-Ching Wu, 30.

Agnes Quinlivan, 80, was killed by falling debris as she walked near the station.

The train at Potters Bar. Credit: PA

To honor the seven dead, a service was held at Notre-Dame et Saint-Vincent Church, as well as a private memorial for family members at the train station.

After the service, many elected officials and emergency service representatives shared their thoughts twenty years later.

Read the original report at the time: Seven dead in train crash at Potters Bar

Today we laid a wreath of remembrance to mark the 20th anniversary of the Potters Bar train crash.

Sarah Reid, Routes Manager, represented Network Rail alongside @GNRailUK & @HertsmereBC. pic.twitter.com/WXWjZzOkvE

— London King’s Cross (@NetworkRailKGX) May 10, 2022

Councilor John Graham, Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, said: “The incident has left a deep and indelible mark on our community. We will never forget those who lost their lives or those left in mourning and forced to rebuild their world after that.

“Our thanks go to the emergency services, whose tireless efforts that day prevented more lives from being lost.

Left to right, front row, are the Deputy Mayor of Hertsmere, Cllr John Graham; Deputy Lord-Lieutenant of Hertfordshire, Colonel Kevin Fitzgerald, and Chairman of Hertfordshire County Council, Cllr Seamus Quilty

“This incident has had a serious impact on local people, the rail industry and other national institutions, but it has also demonstrated the strength of the community spirit that characterizes Potters Bar and our entire borough. A spirit that still lives today.

Hertfordshire remembers the 20th anniversary of the Potters Bar train disaster. pic.twitter.com/8RZqKlH7Yp

— Hertfordshire County Council (@hertscc) May 10, 2022

Andy Hopcraft, the Hertfordshire Fire Deputy Chief, recalled how the fire and rescue team worked “tirelessly” to evacuate the injured and help save the lives of others.

Policemen on duty

He said: “It is important that we never forget the passengers, station staff, emergency services and their loved ones, who have all been deeply affected by this terrible tragedy. »

Today we remember Potters Bar, 20 years after the day the accident happened.

Important lessons have been learned and our hearts go out to all those affected by this tragedy.

Although we can never be complacent, accidents are rare and the railways have become safer for everyone. pic.twitter.com/svzBu8Nd4R

— RSSB (@RSSB_rail) May 10, 2022

Meanwhile, Potters Bar labor adviser Chris Myers said: ‘I remember it like it was yesterday. The scenes at the station and around Darkes Lane were gruesome.

“Today we remember that fateful day with heavy hearts and pay tribute to all those we lost and send our thoughts and love to their families.”

Today marks the 20th anniversary of the tragic and devastating Potters Bar rail crash and comes just as Network Rail plans to cut 2,500 rail maintenance jobs.
We must learn from our history and never compromise rail safety so that a tragedy like this can happen again. pic.twitter.com/Ar2SXbWdH6

— RMT (@RMTunion) May 10, 2022