 Sir Richard Branson , Virgin Group chairman , visited the site of the derailment at 11 : 00 the following morning to comment on the incident . During his news conference at the site he said that he regarded the driver , named as Iain Black from Dumbarton , as a hero , as he had attempted to stop the train and remained in his seat to ensure the safety of passengers . Black left hospital in late March and stated that " I 've got to be in the cab to help the train and it never crossed my mind to leave . " 
