Police officer killed on railway was 'everything you want in an officer'

Nottinghamshire Police paid tribute to "hugely respected and popular colleague" Sgt Graham Saville

A police sergeant who died after being hit by a train while trying to save a distressed man was "everything you want in an officer", an ex-colleague said.

Sgt Graham Saville died on Tuesday after he was struck while responding to concerns over a man's safety in Balderton, near Newark, on Thursday.

The Nottinghamshire officer, 46, died in hospital with his family beside him.

Insp Simon Riley said his former colleague was a "kind, compassionate, strong, determined" officer.

Another man, 29, remained in hospital on Tuesday after suffering non life-threatening electrocution injuries.

Sgt Saville suffered fatal injuries when he was struck by the train

British Transport Police (BTP) is leading the investigation into Sgt Saville's death.

PA News agency reported that in similar situations, emergency services would usually contact Network Rail's route control to ensure the tracks were made safe before police officers attempted access.

However, it also understood there are some circumstances in which emergency workers may access the railway without making a call in order to prevent someone from coming to immediate harm.

BTP would not give details about what happened or whether such a call was made to Network Rail.

A minute's applause took place at the City Ground on Wednesday evening

Flags have been lowered to half-mast at police stations across Nottinghamshire in tribute to Sgt Saville, the uncle of Nottingham Forest captain Joe Worrall.

Players and fans paid tribute to the officer with a minute's applause before Forest's EFL Cup match against Burnley at the City Ground.

Floral tributes have been laid outside Newark Police Station, where Sgt Saville was based as a response officer.

Flowers have been left outside Sgt Saville's former station in his memory

The police station in Beeston was among those in the county to fly flags at half-mast in tribute

Insp Simon Riley, chair of Nottinghamshire Police Federation, told BBC Radio Four's Today programme the news had "absolutely devastated" the force.

"Graham was an officer under my command a few years ago when I was a response inspector in the city, in Nottingham," he said.

"He was everything you would want in a police officer. He was caring, compassionate, strong, determined and generally an all-round good professional police officer.

"[The man in distress survived] which is testament to the actions of Graham Saville last Thursday evening."

Insp Riley said other police officers who arrived at the scene and witnessed the incident before giving first aid to the men had been receiving support.

"It's indicative of the dangers that our members put themselves in - day-in, day-out, shift-in, shift-out - in order to protect the public," he said.

Commissioner Sir Mark Rowley, of the Metropolitan Police - where Sgt Saville's career began - said he was "devastated" to learn of his death.

"His time with us was spent across neighbourhood teams and response, both roles at the heart of community policing," he said.

"Sgt Saville was demonstrating the very best of policing when he was injured. Courageously and selflessly, he was prepared to risk his life to save another. In what is the most unimaginable moments for them, Graham's loved ones, his colleagues both within Nottinghamshire and here in the Met, can rightly be proud of him."

Nottinghamshire Police and Crime Commissioner Caroline Henry said Sgt Saville was an "absolute hero".

She said: "Sadly, he lost his life in the line of duty, but saved the life of a member of the public.

"This has sent shockwaves through the whole of the policing family, not just here in Nottinghamshire, but throughout the whole country.

"We are all deeply saddened but our hearts go particularly to Graham's family and friends, and all that loved him."

An online fundraiser to support Sgt Saville's family has raised more than £100,000.

Launched by former Nottinghamshire Police officer Dan Fletcher, it surpassed its original target of £50,000.

Mr Fletcher told BBC Radio Nottingham: "I'm grateful for every single donation but it's not just the donations but the messages of support - there was an outpouring of love and support.

"It was heart-warming to know members of the public do really appreciate the police."

Analysis

By Phil Mackie, BBC Midlands correspondent

The man who was in the distressed condition had been electrocuted. He was pulled off the line before the train could get there and he is still being treated in hospital.

Investigators are focusing their attention on the access to the East Coast Main Line.

As well as this, they will be investigating why, when there was a police incident already under way, nothing had been done, or why they have not been able to stop the train coming through.

Either something had been done or the message had not got through - so that will be the focus of the investigation.