74-year-old ‘hero’ dies trying to stop friend being hit by train

A woman seriously hurt in a train tragedy that killed a man who tried to save her has been named locally as Ella Akehurst.

The 38-year-old was rushed to hospital after she and David Ashworth, 74, a family friend, were both struck at Chartham railway station just before 11am yesterday.

Mr Ashworth, who has been hailed a hero, died instantly after trying to pull Ms Akehurst to safety.

British Transport Police are still investigating the circumstances surrounding the tragedy.

A spokesman said yesterday (Wednesday): “I can confirm a man who died following an incident near Chartham rail station on Tuesday is believed to be 74 and from the Canterbury area. A woman, aged 38, also from Canterbury, was also struck by a train.

“She was treated at the scene before being taken to hospital, where her condition remains serious but stable. Both families have been informed.”

The accident happened at just before 11am involving the 10.22am Ramsgate to Charing Cross service via Ashford, which was not due to stop at Chartham.

Witness Michael Kember was on the platform waiting for another train and looked on in horror as the woman, from the village, dropped from a bridge over the line followed by the man who was trying to save her.

A shaken Mr Kember, 44, said: “The lady had been on the bridge over the line and landed right between the rails where she was lying parallel between them.”

“The man then jumped down and was trying to get her off.

“While he was doing that you could hear the electric rail buzzing meaning the train was coming. You could hear the driver was sounding the horn and the brakes of the train were squealing.

“The man couldn’t get her off and he was then trying to get to the end of the platform but did not make it and that was when the accident happened.

“The bloke was a hero. It’s just so unfortunate that this happened to someone trying to rescue another person.

“There was no way the driver could have stopped the train.”

Anyone with information is being asked to contact British Transport Police on on 0800 405040, quoting log 183 of 16/6/15.

The victim has been named locally as Ella Akehurst; emergency services at Chartham