Bishop of St Albans: “We will not forget the Potters Bar victims”
Bishop Alan's Message
During one of his first visits around the Diocese of St Albans since his service of inauguration on 19th September, The Bishop of St Albans, The Rt Revd Alan Smith has been to Potters Bar and met some of those affected by the Potters Bar rail crash in 2002.
Visiting the station and the Memorial Garden in Darkes Lane, Potters Bar, Bishop Alan gave small gifts of books of prayer books to the family of Agnes Quinliven, to Louis Spring and to Mike Baker, a customer services assistant at Potters Bar Station.
Agnes Quinliven, died as debris fell from the bridge as she was walking home from Mass at her Roman Catholic church where she was a lay Eucharistic Minister (one of those who administers the sacrament). She was the only local resident who died.
Louis Spring was near the opposite platform when the crash happened. He is now a Reader at the Church of England’s Christ Church, Potters Bar.
Mike Baker was the staff member on duty on the platform when the crash took place. He was much affected by it.
The Bishop said: “I was not here at the time of the crash but still feel great sympathy for those who have suffered as a result. I am here today to show that the Church and individual Christians have long memories and want to bear the pain of grief with those who still feel it. The small gifts I have brought are from the people of the Diocese of St Albans who have prayed and continue to pray with and for the bereaved and suffering.”
He continued: “I am also here to state publicly that I am on the side of the many who call for a public inquiry to look into the causes of the crash. The truth of what happened must be established.”
During the visit to Potters Bar, Bishop Alan also visited St Mary’s School, Barnet. Pupils from St Mary’s took part in the procession at his service of inauguration.
