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Train victim was conductor
A man who died on a railway line near Leyland was a train conductor.
Horrified passengers could only watch as tragic Alex Holden, 34, a conductor for Northern Rail, was struck by another train close to Skew Bridge, Leyland and Preston stations last Tuesday.
There were a number of passengers on the 8.17am Preston to Hazel Grove service, when Mr Holden was apparently seen to unlock a cab door at the back of the moving train and plunge from the carriage straight into the path of the oncoming 7.17am Manchester to Blackpool Northern Rail service.
The driver of Mr Holden's train, unaware of the incident, continued to Leyland Station before leaving his cab to ask stunned passengers where his guard had gone.
Shocked passengers were taken off the train at Leyland and the line was closed to allow investigators to attend.
British Transport Police (BTP) and Leyland Police visited the scene with paramedics but Mr Holden was pronounced dead.
A commuter, who was travelling on the train, said: "When we got to Leyland station, the driver came out and said 'Has anyone seen the conductor? I think I have left him in Preston'.
"A man said he thought he had seen him jump out the doors while it was moving into the path of a train coming in the other direction.
"People just started crying, it was awful.
"Then a message came over for the driver that control needed to talk to him. It was such a shock, I was really shaken."
Ian Bevan, managing director of Northern Rail said: "It was with great shock and sadness that we learnt of Tuesday's incident.
"Our colleague was well liked and respected by all those who knew him. The thoughts of everyone at Northern are with his family and friends, and we are doing everything we can to support them.
"In any situation such as this a full chain of care takes place for anyone involved and we offer counselling to any employee who requires it."
A BTP spokesman added: "Enquiries are ongoing to establish the circumstances leading up to his death, but, at this stage, we are not looking for anyone else in connection with the incident."
Preston Coroner's Office said it had been told.
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Weather for Leyland
Saturday 11 February 2012
Today
Cloudy
Temperature: 1 C to 3 C
Wind Speed: 10 mph
Wind direction: South east
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: 4 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 9 mph
Wind direction: South west
