LNER, together with Network Rail and Freightliner, is hosting a virtual memorial to commemorate the 20 year anniversary of the Great Heck train crash.

This will be held from 10am on Sunday 28 February 2021.

Please click here to view the event.

On the morning of 28 February 2001 an InterCity 225 passenger train operated by GNER was derailed into the path of an oncoming freight train. Ten people lost their lives that day including the Drivers of both trains, and 82 were seriously injured.

It remains the worst rail disaster of the 21st century in the United Kingdom.

Due to the coronavirus pandemic and national lockdown, we are hosting a virtual memorial to mark the 20th anniversary of this tragedy rather, than meeting in person.

The online memorial event will be broadcast from Great Heck and Newcastle on Sunday 28 February at 10am. We will be laying wreaths, giving readings and pausing as our train passes Great Heck and sounds its horn in dedication to those we lost.

Please do share this registration webpage with others you think may be interested in joining the event. If you have any questions, please email greatheckanniversary@lner.co.uk.

On the afternoon of Sunday 28 February at 2pm, there will also be an online memorial service live-streamed from Selby Abbey, led by Canon John Weetman, Vicar of Selby Abbey and the Reverend Peter Hibbs. A commemorative candle will be lit for each of those who lost their lives. To request a link, please email GH20Memorial@gmail.com.

If you would like to write a few words of condolence, please click here. We will share these messages on a dedicated page on our website in the days following the memorial. If you would like to post a message, please do this on or before Sunday 28 February.

Whilst we must hold this event differently to how we would have liked, we are pleased that in these difficult times we’re able to safely join together to recognise this important anniversary.