13 race-goers hunted over fight on train between York and Leeds

British Transport Police have released CCTV images of a group of people they are trying to track down after a gang brawl in a busy train carriage between York and Leeds saw a man suffer serious injuries.

The fight left passengers travelling on the Manchester-bound service shocked and scared as 13 men, who had previously been on a drinking session at York Racecourse’s Spring Saturday meeting, traded punches at about 11pm on Saturday, May 22.

Officers hope the release of the CCTV pictures will jog people’s memories as they continue their probe into the “serious” brawl and look to speak to the men caught on camera.

PC Mark Mowvley, the force’s investigating officer, said: “The two groups, who had been at York Races and had consumed alcohol throughout the day, had boarded the 9.50pm Middlesbrough to Manchester Airport service to return home.

“As the train left York Station, the two groups, consisting of eight men and five men, began a serious altercation, resulting in a man gaining serious injuries.”

The fight had ended before the train arrived in Leeds at about 11.30pm, but PC Mowvley said British Transport Police’s aim was now to “build up a complete picture of what took place”.

He said: “Many innocent passengers were also travelling in the carriage at the same time and were left fearing for their safety.

“Our inquiries so far suggest the carriage would have been very busy at the time and we would like to hear from anyone who can help us establish what happened and shed light on this incident.”

Anyone who witnessed the attack or has any information about it should phone British Transport Police on 0800 40 50 40 quoting reference 724 of May 22, or phone Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.