Beloved railway station cat dies in road accident

A black cat which graced the platforms of Huddersfield Railway Station for more than five years has died in a road accident, it has been confirmed.

Bolt was first seen at the West Yorkshire station in 2019 and soon won thousands of fans, becoming a social media sensation. A Facebook page set up for him and his sidekick Felix gained more than 167,000 followers.

He left the station last year when engineering works meant it was better for him to be rehomed with his "station mum" Jacqui.

A post on the Facebook page said he had died in an accident last week. It said: "Bolt may have left the station many moons ago, but he never left the hearts of the people who knew and loved him."

Alan Hind, a fan who runs Facebook page The Huddersfield Station Cats and the Instagram account Stationcatshudds, said: "Our beloved former station cat Bolt has crossed the rainbow bridge.

"After retiring from Huddersfield Station, Bolt spent his days being thoroughly spoiled by Jacqui and sharing his home with his feline companions. He truly was living his best life.

"Sadly, Bolt passed away this week after a road traffic accident. The small comfort in this heartbreaking situation is that his vet believes his passing would have been instant."

When Bolt appeared at the station six years ago, he learned the ropes from Felix the cat, who had patrolled there since 2011.

The photogenic pair featured in two Sunday Times bestselling books together, Felix The Railway Cat and Full Steam Ahead, Felix by Kate Moore.

Bolt was promoted to senior pest controller after Felix passed away aged 12 in 2023.

Moore said she was "so sad" to hear the news about Bolt.

"I well remember him as a kitten, full of playful energy, trying to run rings around Felix (rarely succeeding)," she said.

"I'm sure Felix is already showing Bolty Boy the ropes in the next world.

"My sincere condolences to Jacqui, the whole Huddersfield station team and to all of Bolt's many fans, whom I know will be so saddened by this news."

Hind said anyone wishing to mark Bolt's passing could donate to the Huddersfield Feral and Strays fundraising page, to create a legacy for him.

"Felix and Bolt loved helping less fortunate felines and any contribution, no matter how small, will help other cats in need," he said.

"A donation in Bolt's memory would be a fitting legacy for a much-loved station cat who became part of the town's story."