Railway worker who died after ‘serious assault’ at Ilford station in east London named
A railway worker has died after a “serious assault” at a station in east London.
The victim was named on Saturday night as Jorge Ortega, 61, who worked as a customer experience assistant for MTREL, which runs the Elizabeth Line, the RMT union said.
He was attacked at Ilford station on Wednesday night and was taken to hospital with serious head injuries but later died, British Transport Police (BTP) said on Friday.
Officers were called to the station at around 8.50pm following reports of a serious assault and London’s Air Ambulance also attended.
His family said in a statement released by Mr Ortega’s son: “Our dad was the most loving person, the kindest soul you could have the pleasure of meeting.
“Everyone who has met our dad or who has ever worked with him over the years will tell you this. He had a brilliant mind, enjoyed cooking, loved drawing, and was highly skilled in art.
“He was an amazing family man and would always put other people first. He loved his grandchildren, and in turn, they adored our dad.
“He was totally devoted to our mum and loved her beyond what words can describe. Having been together for over 38 years, he is an example of what a great man should be like and a role model that we highly look up to.
“We can only hope to be like him. Dad is and will always be in our hearts.”
RMT general secretary Mick Lynch said the union was “deeply saddened” by his death “following an attack while at work.
Ilford Station
“The whole union sends its condolences to their family, friends, and colleagues at this awful time and everyone’s thoughts at RMT are with them.”
MTREL said the victim, which it did not name, had been a “dedicated member of the railway community for 24 years”.
Mike Bagshaw, managing director of the transport operator, called his death “unimaginable” and said “my heart goes out to his family, friends, and colleagues during this profoundly difficult time.
“He was a valued member of our team, serving the railway community with dedication and kindness for more than two decades.
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“We are devastated that such a senseless act of violence has taken the life of one of our colleagues.
“He has lost his life simply for carrying out his job, everyone has the right to feel safe and protected at work and this tragic event serves as a stark reminder of the unacceptable abuse faced by rail colleagues.”
Ayodele Jamgbadi, of Kingston Road, Ilford, was arrested and charged with Section 18 GBH, affray, and possession of a prohibited offensive weapon in a private place at Highbury Corner Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
He was remanded to appear at Inner London Crown Court on 7 January.
BTP said detectives would apply to change the indictment to reflect the death of the victim.
The senior investigating officer, Detective Inspector Paul Attwell, said: “This was a horrific and tragic incident which has resulted in a man losing his life. Our specialist family liaison officers are providing support to Jorge’s family. Please can I ask that their privacy is respected at this incredibly difficult time.”
An amber warning has been issued for snow in a part of the UK, likely to cause travel delays and “stranding some vehicles and passengers”.
The warning, which covers south west England, also warns some rural communities could become cut off and is in place until 2pm this evening.
Pic: Met Office
There is also a yellow weather warning for snow covering the southern counties of England until midnight on Wednesday.
The warning stretches from Kent to Cornwall and up to south London and the Met Office said between 2cm and 5cm of snow could accumulate fairly widely, with as much as 10cm over higher ground.
This week is expected to see the coldest nights of the year, with temperatures potentially reaching -14C on Wednesday night and -16C on Thursday night, both in the North East of England and Scotland, the Met Office said.
Weather warnings issued on Tuesday for snow and ice covering the parts of Wales, the North West of England, west and northern parts of Scotland as well as Northern Ireland will remain in place until midnight tomorrow.
The forecaster said some roads and railways are likely to be affected and there could be icy patches on untreated roads.
Pics: AP
Meanwhile the Environment Agency has said at least 300 properties have flooded across England since New Year’s Eve. It estimates more than 41,000 properties have been protected.
Heavy rainfall over the New Year caused significant river and surface water flooding across the North West of England and Yorkshire and snowmelt has brought further disruption to parts of England, particularly the Midlands, the agency said.
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Floods minister Emma Hardy said: “My sympathies go out to the people, businesses and communities impacted by the recent flooding across the country.
“I want to express my heartfelt thanks for the vital work that the Environment Agency and emergency services are doing to keep people safe. People must continue to follow their advice and sign up for flood warnings.”
Flood warnings
Some 100 flood warnings were in force across England on Wednesday, with people urged to remain vigilant over the coming days.
A danger-to-life warning was issued on Tuesday morning for the River Soar near Barrow upon Soar, Leicestershire, but was later removed.
People living in caravan parks in the area were urged by the Environment Agency to act, with a large-scale evacuation needed to save lives.
Firefighters have rescued dozens of people across Leicestershire since Monday, Leicestershire Fire and Rescue Service said.
Hundreds of schools were closed across the UK, with road and rail links blocked, as Manchester, Bristol and Liverpool John Lennon airports suspended flights because of the conditions.
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