Following the tragic death of a heroic police officer who died while saving a man on train tracks, over $100,000 has been raised in his memory.
As previously reported, Sergeant Graham Saville, a member of Nottinghamshire Police, was struck by a train last Thursday while attempting to rescue a man who had suffered electrocution near the Bulpit Lane level crossing in the residential vicinity of Balderton, situated close to Newark-on-Trent in Nottinghamshire, UK.
Despite the immediate efforts to save him, he succumbed to his injuries yesterday (Tuesday 29), surrounded by his family.
The incident unfolded a little before 7:00PM on Thursday when Nottinghamshire Police officers were dispatched due to concerns about a man's safety. It was during the course of fulfilling his duty that Sgt. Saville, aged 46, was tragically struck by a train on the East Coast Mainline.
Following Sgt. Saville's tragic death, a Just Giving page was set up in order to raise funds to support his family during their time of grief.
The description on the fundraising page reads: "This is an appeal to the community in order to assist the immediate family of the fallen police officer following a terrible ordeal whereby an officer has given his life in the line of duty whilst saving the life of another individual. This is the epitome of policing bravery.
"This fund will hopefully assist in many areas of their lives as they now come to terms with the tragic outcome. Hopefully one day in time it may help them move forward and bring them some comfort. Please help us help this brave selfless officers family. Please continue to give what you can."
At the time of writing, the fundraiser has gained just over £90,000 ($113,900) in donations from an intended target of £100,000 ($126,500).
Following the tragedy, Chief Constable Kate Meynell expressed the deep sorrow felt by the entire police force in the UK, stating: "Today marks a day of mourning for the entire police family. Graham was not just a respected colleague but a beloved one, making his demise in the line of duty a staggering blow to us all.
"Our hearts and most sincere condolences reach out to his family, and we are committed to providing them with unwavering support during this indescribably agonizing period. The news of Graham's passing has left a void that words cannot fill, impacting all those who held him in high regard," via BBC News.
Also paying tribute to Sgt. Saville was the British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who penned on social media: "I’m saddened to learn of the passing of Sergeant Saville. It is a testament to his bravery that he died in the line of duty and a terrible reminder of the work the police do every day to keep us safe. My thoughts are with his family, friends and the whole of Nottinghamshire Police Force."
As a mark of honor, flags across the force will be flown at half-mast. The family of Sgt. Saville has expressed their wish for privacy during this difficult time. The investigation into the incident, led by the British Transport Police, is still underway.
Our thoughts continue to be with Sgt. Saville's loved ones during this difficult time.
