Funeral for train crash grandmother

12 April 2012

The funeral of a great-grandmother killed in a train crash last month took has been held.

Margaret "Peggy" Masson, 84, was travelling back to Glasgow on the Virgin train when it derailed and slid into a field in Cumbria.

She died in the Royal Lancashire Infirmary a few of hours after the crash on February 23.

The widow, from Cardonald in Glasgow, was with her daughter Margaret Langley and son-in-law Richard Langley on the train.

They both suffered serious injuries, but managed to join around 100 family and friends packed into Craigton Crematorium near Mrs Masson's home.

Mrs Langley - who hobbled into the service using a crutch - and her husband, were also joined by Virgin Rail management and members of the Lancashire Civil Support Team who helped out during the aftermath of the crash.

Rev John Miller, from East Parish Church in Castlemilk, Glasgow, conducted the ceremony.

A Masson family friend for 30 years, he paid tribute to members of the emergency services, the driver of the train and Virgin Boss Sir Richard Branson. They had all provided support to the Masson family since February's tragedy, Mr Miller said.

He told the congregation that Mrs Masson had been the victim of a "sudden and unexpected" tragedy. "The many days have turned into many weeks, and all this time has passed since that terrible day," said the minister. "And yet even now it is so difficult for those who loved Peggy Masson to take in the sudden tragedy which led to her passing."

Mr Miller added: "A tragedy such as this reveals the kindness in so many human hearts, in the public services, emergency services, and health services. People have shared in that tragedy - members of the management from Virgin Rail, who have been so thoughtful and kind, as has Sir Richard Branson. There has also been support from the train driver Iain Black and his fiancee Jan."

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