A police officer who was hit by a train while trying to save a distressed man from train tracks has been hailed as a "true hero".
Sergeant Graham Saville, a Nottingham Police response officer based at Newark Police Station, suffered serious injuries after he was hit by a train in Balderton, near Newark-on-Trent, on Thursday.
The 46-year-old was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre, where he died on Tuesday with family by his side.
Tributes have since been pouring in for Mr Saville, with a former colleague describing him as “everything that you would want in a police officer”.
Nottinghamshire Police Federation branch chairman Simon Riley told the Today programme: “He was caring, compassionate, strongly determined, and just generally an all-around good, professional police officer.
“It’s fair to say that it has absolutely devastated the force, from everybody that I’ve spoken to and everybody that’s contacted us, everybody’s deeply saddened by it.
“It is often a cliche that we are a police family and when something like this happens it deeply affects us all, and that extends to beyond Nottingham as well.
“We’ve been contacted by federations and officers up and down the country who’ve reached out to us to offer their condolences.”
Tributes have been paid to Sergeant Graham Saville, 46, described as a “true hero”— (Nottingham Police handout )
Nottinghamshire Police has said that flags across the force will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect to the “popular colleague”, who was the uncle of Nottingham Forest football club captain Joe Worrall.
Friends also took to social media to pay tribute to the officer, while a GoFundMe page has raised more than £90,000 for his family in the aftermath of the tragedy.
Dave Kerry wrote on Facebook: “Truly awful news to hear about our friend Graham Saville. Many good times had with this hero. Rest well mate.”
Benjamin Rosser added: “A true hero and brave man. RIP Sgt Graham Saville. You’re a true inspiration and honour to yourself and your family.”
Tributes have also flooded in from senior officers at the force as well as his local MP, the policing minister and politicians.
Paying respect to Sgt 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.
“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.”
Police and railway workers near the scene in Balderton, near Newark-on-Trent (Danny Lawson/PA)— (PA Wire)
The police officer was called to a residential area in Balderton over concerns for a man’s safety just before 7pm.
But he was struck by a train himself as he attempted to save the distressed man who was on the railway lines, in what was described as “extremely traumatic incident” for those at the scene.
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.
On Wednesday, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak paid tribute to Sgt Saville’s bravery.
Posting on X, previously known as Twitter, he wrote: “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 offered her “deepest condolences” to Sgt Saville’s family and colleagues, adding: “We owe our police officers an immense debt of gratitude for their bravery while protecting us all.”
Shadow Home Secretary Yvette Cooper said the tragedy was “devastating news”.
“Thinking of all the family, friends and colleagues of Sergeant Graham Saville at this difficult time and of the bravery he showed to help save others,” she wrote on X.
Head of the College of Policing, Chief Constable Andy Marsh, said the horrifying incident was a “tragic reminder” of the risks and bravery shown every day by police officers.
Robert Jenrick, MP for Newark, whose constituency includes Balderton, praised the officer’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.”
Nottinghamshire Police Federation branch chairman Simon Riley said the sergeant’s death will “resonate deeply throughout policing”, adding: “His selfless sacrifice will never be forgotten.”
British Transport Police (BTP) is leading an investigation to establish the full circumstances of the incident, but the inquiry is not said to be criminal.
It is understood emergency services would usually contact Network Rail’s route control before attempting to access the railway.
However, in some instances responders may do so without making a call in order to prevent someone from coming to immediate harm.
