a hospital watchdog yesterday called for an independent investigation after two women patients -- one of them in a wheelchair -- were killed by a train

Last night the distraught family of one of the women, 44 year-old Susan Steinker, a radiographer, of Church Close, Oakworth, who was in the wheelchair, referred the media to Airedale Community Health Council.

It is understood that she had previously been involved in a similar incident on the railway.

Within hours of the incident, the CHC said security at Airedale Hospital had been a concern "for some time".

Airedale hospital has already started an investigation into how the patients abandoned their beds and were killed on a nearby railway line.

Staff noticed two women patients were missing at 9pm on Wednesday night, and immediately searched the hospital and grounds.

The hospital says both women were mentally ill and were being treated on the mental illness ward.

The bodies of the women, aged 62 and 44, were discovered at about 9.20pm on the line, at Steeton level crossing, behind the hospital, at the bottom of Thornhill Road, by the driver of a train travelling from Bradford to Skipton.

British Transport Police said: "They died as a result of being struck by a train.

"The incident is not being treated as suspicious and inquiries are continuing into the exact circumstances."

Hospital staff were informed at 9.30pm and staff identified one of the bodies.

Staff and police were last night still trying to positively identify the second woman, who is also thought to come from the Keighley area.

Airedale NHS Trust's chief executive Robert Allen said: "The trust extends its deepest sympathies to both families.

"An internal review of the circumstances has commenced."

John Godward, chief officer of Airedale CHC, said: "We have been concerned for some time about the perceived lack of security of patients who have been admitted to the mental health wards of the hospital.

"We have discussed these concerns informally with the management of the mental health services and shall be expressing our concerns again, and asking for an independent investigation into the provision of services.

"There are many complex issues involved in the care of patients with mental health conditions.

"Such care must strike a balance between a patient's individual liberty and their security from self-harm.

"One must remember that Airedale General Hospital is not a secure hospital and therefore it may be appropriate to question its suitability for caring for patients who have suicidal tendencies.

"This issue must be reviewed, as must the current nursing and clinical practices."

A spokesman for MIND, the mental health charity, said it was calling on the Government to fund more research into the way patient risk assessment was carried out.

l Elizabeth Clarke, 55, of Horrocks Close, Lothersdale, near Skipton, died on the line when she was hit by a train last month.

Inquest report page 5