Missing Freightliner driver

[ChristopherJ]

Was the Freightliner driver, Andrew Derrett, who walked out of Wembley yard mid-shift and was never seen or heard again ever found?

It's been about 2-3 years since and I never found out if he was ever located.

 

[the sniper]

Good question. I remember the missing person notices from the time, but never heard any more.

Am I imagining it or wasn't there another Driver who went missing around the same time?

 

[ChristopherJ]

He was one of the regular Freightliner drivers in my area, I used see him all the time with Liners through Stratford, I never knew him personally but the instant I saw his photo I recognised him.

Here's the latest info I can find on him.

Have you seen Andy?

Andy Derrett, a long-time railwayman, union stalwart, and go-to man for badges, is well-known to many ASLEF members. But Andy – who appeared healthy, happy,...

www.aslef.org.uk

Suffolk Police said: Andrew Derrett, a 51-year-old Ipswich man, is white, 5ft 8in, heavy build, with shoulder length hair and stubble. He has tattoos on both arms including the name Beverley, a dagger, and a love heart. He was last seen wearing black jeans, a short dark coat, and black boots. Enquiries are ongoing to locate Andrew and anyone who has seen him, knows of his whereabouts, or has seen a male matching his description should contact us on 101.'

Andrew Derrett

Andrew Derrett, 51, from Ipswich was reported missing on 11 December 2018.

www.suffolk.police.uk

Police are able to issue a more recent image of a 51-year-old Ipswich man who has gone missing.


Andrew Derrett was reported as missing to police on Tuesday 11 December.

He was last seen at his work address in Wembley, London earlier the same day and has not been seen since.

 

[yorkie]

I found this dated 17 August 2020:

All you need to know about the mysteries behind Suffolk's missing people

In Suffolk, there are six missing person cases sitting unsolved with families no closer to knowing what happened to their loved ones.

www.suffolknews.co.uk

They still sit in wait of news, be it good or bad, of their loved ones who vanished into thin air many years ago.

Another of Suffolk’s missing people is Andrew Derrett, who was last seen at his workplace in Wembley in 2018....

...Anyone with information on any of the missing person cases should email [email protected].

So according to that article he was still missing 6 months ago.

 

[Undiscovered]

Good question. I remember the missing person notices from the time, but never heard any more.

Am I imagining it or wasn't there another Driver who went missing around the same time?

There was. Simon Jenner was found, sadly, a few months later.

 

[dk1]

All still a mystery.

 

[greyman42]

He must of had a decent pension which you cannot access without bringing attention to yourself.

 

[185]

Speculative, but I do wonder at the time, given the considerably expansive railway infrastructure within a couple of miles of the depot where he was last seen - whether a thorough (enough) search of the railway was conducted given the limited resources of British Transport Police, and the jurisdictive boundary of the Met Police preventing from them assisting. It's a truly massive area of land - was he an enthusiast? Was he taking photographs? Perhaps curious about old infrastructure? Assume BTP did a search, but this perhaps could do with being repeated, perhaps more thorough, with co-operation from NR and operators.

 

[Rail Ranger]

I'm reminded of a case where a man had had to get out of a taxi about ten years ago because he didn't have enough money after a night out. He then went missing. A search was made by the police of a certain radius from where he was dropped off. Nothing was found. His body was found years later just outside the search area (near Northenden Junction).

 

[Ceat0908]

Apologies for changing the subject. Does anyone know if the missing Avanti TM based in Liverpool was found? I believe he went missing at the beginning of last year. I did have his name but I cannot remember what it is.

 

[theironroad]

Apologies for changing the subject. Does anyone know if the missing Avanti TM based in Liverpool was found? I believe he went missing at the beginning of last year. I did have his name but I cannot remember what it is.

It would appear he was Stephan Owen (spelling correct).

Unfortunately, it seems his body was discovered in a Liverpool park on 17/1/20.

That's just from a online search, can't see or know any other details.

 

[Ceat0908]

It would appear he was Stephan Owen (spelling correct).

Unfortunately, it seems his body was discovered in a Liverpool park on 17/1/20.

That's just from a online search, can't see or know any other details.

That’s the name. Thank you for that. Terribly sad.

 

[Millisle]

Speculative, but I do wonder at the time, given the considerably expansive railway infrastructure within a couple of miles of the depot where he was last seen - whether a thorough (enough) search of the railway was conducted given the limited resources of British Transport Police, and the jurisdictive boundary of the Met Police preventing from them assisting. It's a truly massive area of land - was he an enthusiast? Was he taking photographs? Perhaps curious about old infrastructure? Assume BTP did a search, but this perhaps could do with being repeated, perhaps more thorough, with co-operation from NR and operators.

I am happy to be corrected, but I believe there is no jurisdictive problem: the service responsible can request assistance as required from other services.

 

[tiptoptaff]

I suspect the real issue with the search is that a lot less effort is put in by police when searching for an adult male, compared to a missing child or female.

If they'd used the same resources they use for a missing woman they'd have had a much better chance and might have found him

 

[LSWR Cavalier]

I understand they wait a few days before searching, because most mislaid persons turn up again within a couple of days

 

[Astro_Orbiter]

I only found out that Andy Derrett was missing some time after the fact and was stunned, lovely guy who helped me out personally a few times. If I remember rightly he was the go to man for enamel pin badges?

 

[Stigy]

Speculative, but I do wonder at the time, given the considerably expansive railway infrastructure within a couple of miles of the depot where he was last seen - whether a thorough (enough) search of the railway was conducted given the limited resources of British Transport Police, and the jurisdictive boundary of the Met Police preventing from them assisting. It's a truly massive area of land - was he an enthusiast? Was he taking photographs? Perhaps curious about old infrastructure? Assume BTP did a search, but this perhaps could do with being repeated, perhaps more thorough, with co-operation from NR and operators.

Can't say specifically for this case, but I'd assume it wouldn't have been a BTP case anyway?

 

[185]

Can't say specifically for this case, but I'd assume it wouldn't have been a BTP case anyway?

If the last place he was seen was on railway land, it should be BTP as per their jurisdiction however I do note Suffolk Const' put most publicity out. Any police search of railway land would ordinarily (have to) be BTP or BTP-led.

 

[AlterEgo]

I suspect the real issue with the search is that a lot less effort is put in by police when searching for an adult male, compared to a missing child or female.

If they'd used the same resources they use for a missing woman they'd have had a much better chance and might have found him

The problem is unfortunately with adults, they do have a right to “go missing” and not to be found. Some people have their reasons. Still terribly sad though.

 

[greyman42]

The problem is unfortunately with adults, they do have a right to “go missing” and not to be found. Some people have their reasons. Still terribly sad though.

I agree but as i said earlier it does seem strange if you have a significant pension pot.

 

[Master29]

I agree but as i said earlier it does seem strange if you have a significant pension pot.

Not really. Money isn't everything, especially if their are hidden mental health issues.

 

[Mag_seven]

As there have been no further updates in this sad story we are going to lock this thread for now. If anyone becomes aware of any developments in the story then please contact a member of forum staff and we will look to have the thread reopened.

Thank You