Patients' train deaths prompt inquiry

A health watchdog is calling for an independent inquiry after two hospital patients were killed on a railway line in West Yorkshire.

The two women, including one in a wheelchair, were hit by a train as they tried to cross the line at Steeton, near Bradford.

The bodies of the women, aged 62 and 44, were discovered on the tracks behind Airedale General Hospital by the driver of a Bradford to Skipton train.

They were patients on the mental health wards.

Now Airedale Community Health Council say they want Bradford Health Authority to investigate the matter.

Witness appeal

The health council's chief officer, John Godward, said that only last week concerns had been raised about some of the mental wards at the hospital.

"Last week, we actually did an inspection of the four mental health wards at Airedale General Hospital.

"We did express concern about patient safety on two of the wards."

A British Transport Police spokesman said the deaths are not being treated as suspicious.

"The bodies of two adult females were found on the railway. They had died as a result of being struck by a train.

"Both were patients at the Airedale General Hospital.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries are on-going into the exact circumstances surrounding the accident."

Both women are thought to be from the Keighley area.