Nottinghamshire police officer dies after incident north of Grantham on East Coast Mainline

Nottinghamshire Police and the county are mourning the death of the hero police officer who saved the life of a man on the railway at Balderton.

Last night (Tuesday), the force has announced the death of Sergeant Graham Saville.

Nottinghamshire Police said: “It is with great sadness that Nottinghamshire Police confirms the death of a serving officer in the line of duty.

“Sergeant Graham Saville, a response officer based at Newark Police Station, sustained serious injuries when he was hit by a train as he attempted to save a distressed man.”

The incident happened at the Bulpit Lane East Coast Mainline level crossing at Balderton just before 7pm on Thursday, August 24.

Sergeant Saville was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre where, despite the best efforts of medical staff, the 46-year-old died on Tuesday, August 29, with his family at his bedside.

Flags across the force will now be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

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.

“Our hearts and deepest condolences go out to his family and we will do everything we can to support them through this unimaginably devastating time.

“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.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the officers who attended the scene, some of whom provided immediate medical assistance while the ambulance was on its way.

“This was a deeply traumatic incident for those officers and we have a dedicated team providing support to them.

“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 Saville’s family has requested that their privacy be respected.

An investigation into the incident, led by British Transport Police, is ongoing.

Detectives are continuing to investigate an incident on the railway in Newark after a Nottinghamshire Police officer very sadly passed away this afternoon.

Officers were called to the line near Newark Northgate station at around 7.10pm on 24 August following reports of a person on the tracks.

Nottinghamshire Police Sergeant Graham Saville was found with serious injuries, and was taken to hospital where he very sadly passed away this afternoon (29 August) with his family by his side.

Enquiries confirmed that the officer was struck by a train whilst responding to an incident involving concern for the welfare of a man.

The man, a 29-year-old, sustained electrocution injuries, and was also taken to hospital where he remains with injuries which are not believed to be life-changing.

Detectives from BTP are continuing to investigate the full circumstances of what happened.

Assistant Chief Constable Allan Gregory said: “This is truly devastating news and on behalf of everyone at British Transport Police I’d like to offer sincere and heartfelt condolences to Sergeant Saville’s family, and to our colleagues at Nottinghamshire Police.”

“Detectives from BTP are conducting a full and thorough investigation in order to establish the full circumstances of what happened last week.

“We remain in the very early stages of this investigation and we will be working alongside the Coroner’s Office as it progresses.

“It is one of the darkest days in policing to lose an officer in the line of duty, and Sergeant Saville’s loved ones will be at the forefront of our minds throughout our enquiries.”

At the time of the incident, rail passengers in Grantham were affected by the train delays.