Media centre

Thursday 11 Feb 2021

UPDATE: Surbiton tragedy

Region & Route:

National

| Southern

| Southern: Wessex

This morning, the British Transport Police has named the rail worker who tragically lost his life at Surbiton on Tuesday morning as Tyler Byrne. Network Rail chief executive Andrew Haines and Southern region director John Halsall have provided the following updates:

Andrew Haines, Network Rail chief executive, said: “My thoughts are with the friends, family and colleagues of Tyler Byrne, who tragically lost his life while working near Surbiton on Tuesday. I know these words will do little to relieve the immense hurt and pain they are feeling.

“The last two days have been incredibly difficult for the railway family. While it is too soon to know exactly what went wrong on Tuesday morning, in the days and weeks ahead we will be conducting our own investigation into the incident and supporting those carried out by the British Transport Police and Rail Accident Investigation Branch. It is vital we do everything in our power to establish the full circumstances that led to this tragedy.”

John Halsall, Network Rail Southern region director, said: “Along with everyone at Network Rail, I am devastated by the death of our colleague and friend Tyler Byrne.

“We are working with the British Transport Police and the Rail Accident Investigation Branch as well as carrying out our own investigation so that we can understand how this tragedy happened. Our absolute priority right now is to support family, friends and colleagues at this incredibly difficult time.”