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Friday 10 Oct 2003

REWARD TO CATCH AIR GUN VANDAL

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Network Rail and rail freight company EWS are offering a reward of £500 in an attempt to track down whoever fired a shot at the driver of a freight train in the Tuebrook area of Liverpool last Friday (3 October). Train driver Gary Rigby (38) from Frodsham, Cheshire was driving his freight train from Warrington to Seaforth Dock when the side window of his Class 60 diesel locomotive was shattered shortly after lunchtime as he drove along the freight line known as the Bootle Branch. Although severely shaken by the incident Gary, who has been driving trains for 10 years, was otherwise unhurt and was able to continue to the docks where he told British Transport Police officers he had seen a group of six youths in the area and that one of them had what appeared to be an air rifle or air gun. The reward is being offered by the rail industry for information leading to a successful prosecution of the individual concerned. Anyone who knows what happened can call the British Transport Police on 0800 405040 or alternatively call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111. Both calls are free and information to Crimestoppers can be left anonymously. - more - Reward – 2 Network Rail’s regional director Tim Clarke said: “This is abosolutely appalling. Mr Rigby could easily have been seriously injured, possibly blinded, by someone who can have had no reason for shooting at the train other than doing it for the sheer hell of it. This sort of behaviour has got to stop and we will do whatever we can to work with EWS and help the police catch this criminal.” Police patrols in the area are being increased and Network Rail is working with the local community to try and get the safety message across by such things as sponsoring a local children’s football team, giving safety talks to schools and working with the local Megabowl to hammer home the safety issues.