Statement from Iain Black, driver at Virgin Trains

There follows a statement from Iain Black, driver of the Virgin Trains Pendolino from London to Glasgow, which derailed near Kendal in Cumbria on Friday 23 February.

Iain is being treated for neck and shoulder injuries at the Royal Preston Hospital, where he is in a stable condition.

Aged 46, Iain has worked for Virgin Trains for six years and is based in Glasgow.

“I am extremely grateful to all my friends, colleagues and employer for all their goodwill messages and support. I am also indebted to the staff at the Royal Preston Hospital and all the emergency services for the part they have played.

I am obviously distraught that one person died in the accident and saddened about those who remain seriously ill and I wish them a speedy recovery. Obviously I can’t say anything about the accident because of the ongoing investigation but I am just glad that more people were not seriously injured.”