Mourners gathered to remember the North Yorkshire rail disaster dead at York Minster on Saturday.

Lines of seats were punctuated by wheelchairs, a clear sign that many lives remain in disarray following the crash at Great Heck that left ten dead.

So soon after the crash, the poignant memorial service, with its attendant dignitaries, showed the massive suffering this tragedy has caused.

Tears of sorrow flowed freely during the service and weeping could be heard as the names of the ten victims were read out and candles were lit.

The presence of Prince Charles gave a dignity to the service which was appreciated by survivors and emergency service workers alike.

For 50 minutes more than 2,000 mourners from all walks of life heard hymns, readings and prayers in the majesty of York Minster.

The setting was apt. The calm and the peace of this building was in stark contrast to the terror that was seen, and suffered, in the dark of Great Heck.

But this memorial service is only the very beginning of a very long, and hard road, for a large number of people.

Scars, physical and emotional, may never fully heal - a constant reminder of what happened.

For some, train journeys may never again be possible, for others, village life may never return to its previous tranquillity.

There are to be more memorial services, more tributes - permanent and temporary.

Saturday was an important day for many.

Survivors, villagers and emergency service workers met with, and were praised by, the Prince of Wales.

And it was a demonstration to those so deeply affected that there are people who care, that those who perished, and those who didn't, will never be forgotten.

Updated: 08:45 Monday, April 02, 2001