Prisoner who fled from custody van on way to court struck by train

A man in his 40s who was being transported to court has died after escaping from a prison custody van and being struck by a train near Welwyn North railway station, an incident that triggered major disruption and an ongoing police investigation.

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According to Hertfordshire Police, UK, the man was being conveyed to court by a contracted transport service when the vehicle stopped on the hard shoulder of the A1(M) shortly after 9am on Thursday, May 28.

Shortly after, an altercation reportedly broke out inside the van, during which two security staff were injured before the detainee managed to escape from the vehicle.

Police said an extensive search was launched immediately after the escape, involving multiple emergency units and coordination with British Transport Police. About 40 minutes later, officers were called to reports of a casualty on the railway tracks near Welwyn North station, where the man was found dead.

A police spokesperson confirmed: “Shortly after 9am today, a man aged in his 40s who was being conveyed to court by a transport contractor escaped from the vehicle… An area search followed, with multiple resources deployed.” They added that formal identification had not yet been completed, but the man’s family had been informed.

Two custody staff were taken to hospital following injuries sustained during the incident. The case has been referred to the Independent Office for Police Conduct, as is standard procedure in incidents involving detainee transport and custody-related deaths.

Train services across the region, including Thameslink and LNER routes, were delayed for several hours, with knock-on disruption affecting commuters across Hertfordshire and surrounding areas while investigations and recovery operations took place.