Our Rector was on the scene about half an hour after it happened, and was still there 12 hours later. (I presume he got something to eat in that time as he's just recovering from pneumonia himself and it's been cold today). He spoke on TV about the lack of panic, the work of the local people and the rescue services. Nobody will be able to exaggerate the role these wonderful people have played, especially as many of them have only had experience of mock-accidents of this type. Yet the emergency plans fired into action and worked!

Tonight at 7.45 we gathered in Snaith Priory for what was going to be our Ash Wednesday service for the whole of our team parish, but of course we all had other things on our minds. The BBC outside broadcast unit was there, and the normally dark exterior of the Priory was brightly lit. The Bishop of Doncaster had come to lend his support and lead the service, and our Rector (looking exhausted) played the organ and led the prayers, during which he spoke most movingly of what had happened. One or two from the Diocesan Action Teams of both York and Doncaster (who had been all day at the crash site) were also there. The little church in Heck is to be opened during the day with clergy in attendance for anyone who needs it. It is only about 200yds from the crash site.

I live in Hensall, which is about a mile and a half north from Heck (the same distance from Gowdall, the flooded village from last November, which is east of us). The railway line passes about half a mile from the eastern edge of our village. As I drove to Snaith tonight I could see a white glow in the sky by Heck from the arc-lights as the grim task of recovering the dead was under way.

Please pray also for those who now have to help the injured and bereaved piece their lives together and come to terms with what has happened.

Andrea