The body of a man killed by a train nearly 24 years ago was finally identified in 2012 as part of the national drive to bring closure to families who have lost relatives.
Derek Burns, 20, of West Calder, West Lothian, was interred in an unmarked grave in London after he was struck by a train in March 1989. Extensive inquiries at the time had failed to identify him.
But as part of Operation Santana, the investigation into unidentified bodies found on the train system by British transport police, investigators established that on the day he died Burns had visited his girlfriend at an address close to West Hampstead station, north-west London.
He had been reported missing to Lothian and Borders police the day before and was never seen again by his family.
With the new information his body was exhumed for DNA tests, which confirmed his biological ties to his family.
His father, Derek Burns Sr, said he had gone into his son's bedroom the morning he went missing to see if he wanted to join him on a work trip that day.
"The weather was awful and he said: 'No thanks, Dad,' so I said OK and left," said Burns. "He did not appear for dinner that night or contact us, which was very unusual for him as he was a home person."
His father later found out his son had gone to London to see his girlfriend and find a job. He left without taking his driving licence, passport or any spare clothes or toiletries with him, a lack of distinguishing documentation which was a major reason for the delay in identifying him.
His father said at the time he was finally identified in October last year: "We are relieved that our son has now been found and we can at last put our minds at peace. We are very grateful to the police for the work and effort they have put in, and would also like to thank the help and assistance we have had over the years from the charity Missing People."
Friday 4 January 2013
http://www.guardian.co.uk/uk/2013/jan/04/police-operation-body-man-missing
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