North West

Iain Black is the only train driver to have survived such a high-speed accident.

The train had gone over some broken points and plunged down an embankment at Grayrigg in Cumbria.

Iain at the crash site with his rescuers

One passenger was killed and 22 were injured, five seriously.

Iain's first thought was to stop other trains.

It was also the start of a tense two hour conversation…

Iain managed to call his partner, Jan Duff, on his phone from the cab at Grayrigg. 

Jan tells Inside Out his moving story in this web exclusive.

Emergency call

"On 22 February 2007 Iain and I arrived home from a trip to Spain.

Train crash devastation at Grayrigg.

"The next day we were both working, myself early shift and Iain late afternoon.

"This meant we would not see each other until about midnight on the 23rd.

"At 19.20 Iain rang me from Preston during his break to let me know he was on time and expected to be home at 23.00.

"Then at 20.15 Iain rang me again, this was unusual because I knew Iain should be driving and would have his phone switched off.

"I answered the phone and Iain sounded very distressed.

"We quickly worked out that Iain had been involved in an accident.

"I spoke to Iain for over two hours, keeping him awake and calm while we waited for his rescue.

"After a few hours Iain was flown to Preston Royal Hospital with serious injuries.

"I was travelling to the hospital by car so I could be with him.

"I found Iain in Accident and Emergency and stayed with him until he was transferred to a ward.

"Iain received treatment for three and a half weeks during which time I stayed with him, learning how to care for him.

Life changing experience

"Life has totally changed since we have come home from hospital.

Jan Duff and Iain Black at Grayrigg

"For a very long time, Iain was very dependent on me.

"Over the last six months, Iain has become more independent but still requires help from me on a day to day basis.

"Iain's injuries are healing but it has been a slow recovery."

"This has been the hardest time of my life.

"Seeing someone you love being poorly is a strain on anyone.

"Becoming a full time carer was difficult and sometimes it is hard to keep smiling, but we are getting through this together.

"We have had a lot of ups and downs, but the best day for me was when Iain got enough strength to get on his feet and walk a few metres up the hospital ward.

Iain, Jan and Adam Shipley.

"Eventually we hope life will return to normal."

Find out more...

Four helicopters went to the accident and Iain was airlifted by a crew from RAF Boulmer in Northumberland.

Watch Inside Out as we reunite Iain Black with the people who saved his life on that dark night in February 2006.

Also featured

We met the Northern women squeezing into their wedding frocks again 30 years on.

For more information contact - info@weddingdressball.com