A tragic incident unfolded as a man was hit by a train and lost his life while trying to rescue his friend from a railway track, a court in Mold heard. The court was told that Patrick Kennedy and Keith Ford, both under the influence of alcohol, were near Prestatyn Station, with Kennedy sitting between the rails, joking about catching a train to the beach. When an oncoming train approached, Ford attempted to pull Kennedy to safety but was struck by the Holyhead to Birmingham International train. Ford tragically died at the scene on July 13, 2022.
Kennedy, 49, from Cheetham, Manchester, accepted trespassing on the railway but denied endangering anyone’s safety or causing Ford’s death. The prosecution argued that both men knowingly trespassed onto the dangerous railway track, ignoring warning signs. Ford’s attempts to save Kennedy led to him being fatally struck by the oncoming train, according to evidence presented in court.
The court further heard how emergency services responded to the scene, with paramedics ultimately declaring Ford dead due to severe chest trauma sustained from the train impact. Kennedy, found injured and covered in blood, was arrested later that evening. The trial continues, with Kennedy denying the manslaughter charges and asserting that he did not unlawfully cause Ford’s death.
The defence highlighted that the incident, initially an adventurous day out, turned into a tragedy. Kennedy, in a jest about catching a train to the beach, unintentionally put himself and his friend at risk. The defence argued that Ford, being more aware of the danger due to his lesser alcohol consumption, tried to save Kennedy but unfortunately suffered fatal injuries in the process.
The court proceedings shed light on the heartbreaking sequence of events that led to the loss of Ford’s life as the legal process seeks to determine the outcome of the case. The trial is expected to continue for about a week as further details and testimonies are presented to ascertain the events that unfolded on that fateful day.