Victims of Ufton Nervet train crash named

The seven victims of the high-speed train crash at a level-crossing near Ufton Nervet on Sunday have been named.

The youngest was nine-year-old Louella Main who perished with her mother Anjanetta Rossi (39). The others who died were: Emily Webster (14); Barry Strevens (55); Leslie Charles Matthews (72); train driver Stanley Martin (54), and the driver of the car Brian Drysdale (48).

It is understood that 19 of the 300 passengers aboard the eight-carriage First Great Western train are being treated in hospital for their injuries.

Investigators are considering whether the crash - which occurred when the train ploughed into Mr Drysdale's stationery vehicle - may have resulted from a suicide attempt.

However, a relative of Mr Drysdale's has expressed shock that he would attempt to take his own life, particularly if he risked killing others.

All the carriages of the train were completely derailed when it hit a car at a rural level-crossing near the village of Ufton Nervet in Berkshire on Saturday.

Initial reports indicated that an off-duty policeman was attempting to alert the rail company via an emergency phone call when the 17:35 London Paddington to Plymouth train hit the vehicle at the rural crossing.

Cranes erected on site began lifting the wreckage of the train last night as the clear-up operation began.

Engineering work at the site this week will mean that a special bus service will be in operation between Newbury and Didcot Parkway and also Swindon and Pewsey.

Services between the West of England and London, which will use an alternative route with extended journey times.

(SP/GMCG)