Police officer hit by train while helping distressed man dies of injuries - what we know
Sergeant Graham Saville suffered serious injuries after he was hit in Balderton, near Newark-on-Trent, on 24 August.
A hero police officer who was hit by a train while saving a distressed man has died of his injuries, Nottinghamshire Police have confirmed.
Sergeant Graham Saville, a response officer based at Newark Police Station, suffered serious injuries after he was hit in Balderton, near Newark-on-Trent, on 24 August.
The 46-year-old was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre and died on Tuesday, according to the force.
The man on the railway lines, 29, sustained electricity-inflicted injuries and was taken to hospital where he remains, but his injuries are not believed to be life-changing.
British Transport Police (BTP) is leading an ongoing investigation into the incident.
Nottinghamshire Police said the incident was “extremely traumatic” for everyone who was at the scene.
Here is what we know about what happened…
‘Hugely respected’ officer
Tributes have been made to Saville by senior officers at the force as well as the prime minister, his local MP and the home secretary.
Paying respect to Saville, chief constable Kate Meynell said: “Today is a day of mourning for the entire police family.
“Graham was a hugely respected and popular colleague and his death in the line of duty has come as an enormous shock to us all...
“It is impossible to put into words how devastating this news is for everyone who loved and respected Graham.
“On Thursday, he went to work to protect the people of Nottinghamshire from harm, and it is testament to his bravery and dedication as a police officer that he was fatally injured while attempting to save another man’s life.
“His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
Prime minister Rishi Sunak joined the tributes to Saville’s “bravery” and posted on X, previously known as Twitter: “I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Sergeant Saville. It is a testament to his bravery that he died in the line of duty and a terrible reminder of the work the police do every day to keep us safe.“
Home secretary Suella Braverman posted on X: “I offer my deepest condolences to the family and @nottspolice colleagues of Sergeant Graham Saville, who has lost his life after saving a man in distress on a railway line.
“We owe our police officers an immense debt of gratitude for their bravery while protecting us all.”
Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark, whose constituency includes Balderton, also used X to pay tribute to the sergeant’s “exceptional bravery”.
He said: “Sergeant Graham Saville selflessly gave his life to save someone else. All of us in Newark salute his exceptional bravery and self sacrifice, which won’t be forgotten.“
Head of the College of Policing, chief constable Andy Marsh, said Saville’s death was a “tragic reminder of the risks and bravery shown every day by our police officers and staff to keep the public safe”.
Nottinghamshire Police Federation branch chairman Simon Riley said the sergeant’s death will “resonate deeply throughout policing” and added: “Graham was the epitome of what we should all strive to be as police officers and his selfless act of bravery in trying to save the life of another human being will not be lost on any of us.
“His selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
’Shockwaves’
Nottinghamshire Police said they were supporting officers in the force after Saville’s death sent “shockwaves” through the policing family.
The force will also fly flags at half-mast for Saville as a mark of respect to the “popular colleague”.
Chief constable Meynell paid tribute to officers who attended the scene, some of whom provided “immediate medical assistance” while waiting for an ambulance.
“This was a deeply traumatic incident for those officers and we have a dedicated team providing support to them,” she said.
“When a colleague dies in the line of duty the shockwaves and sadness reverberate throughout the policing family and we will all deeply mourn our colleague.”
Sergeant Graham Saville: How to show support
Anyone wishing to help Saville’s family can donate to the JustGiving page set up in his memory.
Over £90,000 of the £100,000 target has so far been raised on the page, which describes Saville’s actions as the “epitome of policing bravery”.
The description on the crowdfunding page added: “Hopefully, one day in time, it may help them (Saville’s family) move forward and bring them some comfort.
“Please help us help this brave selfless officer’s family.”
