Councillor Witnesses Police Reaction at Horsley Station

Published on: 4 Jan, 2019
Updated on: 7 Jan, 2019

A borough councillor, out cycling, saw the first police officers to reach Horsley station this afternoon.

Horsley Station

Cllr David Reeve told The Dragon: “Our cycling group was gathering at Horsley station at about 1.20pm this afternoon when the first police car arrived with blue lights flashing and came to a very abrupt halt.

“Three policemen quickly made their way to the London-bound platform where the train was standing. At about 6pm it was still there.

“We were cycling for about two hours in the Clandon, Send, Ripley and Horsley area and we saw at least eight police cars with blue lights.

“On getting back to Horsley, two helicopters were flying very slowly in the area and, a little earlier, we had seen a helicopter over towards Clandon.” One helicopter at the scene was later reported to belong to Sky News.

Cllr David Reeve

The councillor reminded Dragon NEWS that this is not the first stabbing on the line. In March 1997, 28-year-old Alison Kennedy was attacked by a stranger in the mid-evening on the train between Horsley and Clandon.

“Mercifully, she survived despite having a large hunting knife lodged in her head. Her assailant was described at the Old Bailey as having a severe psychopathic disorder but was convicted of attempted murder.”

Ms Kennedy’s attacker, 18-year-old Robert Buckland, a homeless beggar, was sentenced to be held indefinitely in a secure mental hospital and sent to Broadmoor.

Cllr Reeve added: “After today’s attack our thoughts are with the victim’s nearest and dearest and with any other passengers who may have witnessed this appalling incident.

“At times like this, I also find myself thinking of our emergency services, who are always there to provide support and assistance when our normally well-ordered society has to cope with the unexpected, regardless of whether it arises from natural or human causes.

“They always seem able to turn out when required to cope with what must sometimes be shocking and horrific circumstances. Thank you to all of them.”