Helicopter averted 'disaster' with car left on railway line

[John Ashworth]

Helicopter averted train 'disaster' as reckless driver left car on Hull railway line

Tuesday, March 27, 2012
This is Hull and West Riding

A MAN who abandoned his car on a railway line in front of an oncoming train after a police chase could have caused a "disaster".

Police said dozens of people could have been killed by the reckless actions of Gavin Steed.

​A tragedy was only averted when the pilot of the Humberside Police helicopter alerted the train driver, less than a mile away.

Steed, 40, had sped off in his Ford Mondeo after police officers signalled him to stop on October 3 last year.

After a chase through west Hull, he abandoned the car on the tracks near Hawthorn Avenue, less than a mile from an oncoming train approaching Hull's Paragon Station.

Police pilot Captain Kathryn Chapman, a former train driver, said she flew low above the train and used lights to signal the driver to stop.

She said: "We were just at the south bank (of the Humber) when the vehicle got called as being stopped and blocking the railway line.

"I was looking across the Humber and saw the train going past the Arco building going into town. I knew the train was getting close.

"I just decided it was sensible to carry on and put a stop on the train if we could.

"I pulled the helicopter up to maximum speed to get ahead of the train, to round about 120 knots, 145mph or 150mph. I was just determined to get ahead of the train."

She hovered ahead of the train and watched as the driver brought it to a stop.

"I could see the train was starting to slow down so I maintained the position until the train was under control and stopping."

The train eventually came to a halt around 365 metres (400 yards) from the car.

Steed had been asked to stop by officers in Witty Street, but sped off, leading them on a chase through Boulevard, Hessle Road, Greek Street, Arthur Street and St George's Road, before abandoning his car. The helicopter was called at about 2pm and arrived at 2.06pm. The train was brought to a stop 20 minutes later.

Northern Rail confirmed the 12.41pm Sheffield to Bridlington service was brought to a controlled stop.

At the time, Colin Andrews, chief superintendent for operations, described Steed's actions as reckless.

He said: "This was a reckless act by the driver of the vehicle, which could have resulted in the deaths of a number of people. As a result of the quick thinking of the Humberside Police helicopter crew, it was avoided.

"It is not the first time the Humberside Police helicopter has prevented a train crash. The pilot and crew on board are to be congratulated for their quick thinking, which prevented a potential tragedy.

"This incident is just one example of how versatile the force helicopter can be."

Steed, of Sefton Street, west Hull, was arrested at the scene. Heroin was found in the car.

He admitted dangerous driving, possessing a class A drug and endangering the safety of railway passengers when he appeared at Hull Crown Court.

His barrister Richard Thompson said: "He accepts the vehicle ended up on the railway line."

On his Facebook page, Steed says: "I'm an Aquarius who likes 2 travel all over Europe and PARTY BIG STYLE and follow Hull City everywhere. Big up the tigers."

He will be sentenced next month.