A police officer who was hit by a train while attempting to save a “distressed man” on the railway tracks has died.

Nottinghamshire Police were called to a residential area in Balderton, near Newark-on-Trent, over concerns for a man’s safety just before 7pm last Thursday.

Sergeant Graham Saville, a response officer based at Newark police station, suffered serious injuries after being struck by a train during the incident and was taken to Queen’s Medical Centre in Nottingham.

The 46-year-old died in hospital on Tuesday with his family by his bedside, the force said.

Flags across the force will be flown at half-mast as a mark of respect.

The person he was assisting is believed to have non-life-threatening injuries.

Chief Constable Kate Meynell said in a statement: “Today is a day of mourning for the entire police family.”

She described Sergeant Saville as a “hugely respected and popular colleague” whose death “has come as an enormous shock to us all”.

Ms Meynell said it was “impossible to put into words how devastating this news is for everyone who loved and respected Graham”.

“On Thursday, he went to work to protect the people of Nottinghamshire from harm, and it is testament to his bravery and dedication as a police officer that he was fatally injured while attempting to save another man’s life.”

She added: “His service and sacrifice will never be forgotten.”

An investigation into the incident, led by British Transport Police, is ongoing.

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