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Potters Bar train crash charge against Jarvis dropped | |
(40 minutes later) | |
A health and safety charge against the rail maintenance company Jarvis over the 2002 Potters Bar train crash has been dropped. | A health and safety charge against the rail maintenance company Jarvis over the 2002 Potters Bar train crash has been dropped. |
Seven people were killed and 76 injured in the Hertfordshire crash when a northbound train derailed at high speed. | Seven people were killed and 76 injured in the Hertfordshire crash when a northbound train derailed at high speed. |
But the rail maintenance section of Jarvis is now in administration. | But the rail maintenance section of Jarvis is now in administration. |
The Office of Rail Regulation (ORR) said continuing the prosecution would not be in the public interest. | |
The regulator said any trial would be lengthy and costly, and any conviction would lead to only a "small financial penalty". | |
'Battle and battle' | |
One of those killed in the crash was Austen Kark, 75, who was travelling with his wife, author Nina Bawden, now 86, who was badly injured. | |
Their daughter Perdita Kark said it was appalling the process had taken so long. | |
"We have had to battle and battle to get this far. Jarvis effectively no longer exists," she said. | |
"What's important now is that Network Rail ensures the railways are as safe as they can be. | |
"Since Potters Bar there have been some areas on which safety has improved but there is more to be done." | |
Overall responsibility for rail maintenance at the time of the accident lay with Railtrack, which was replaced by Network Rail (NR) later on that year. | |
When charging Jarvis last year, the ORR also bought a similar charge against NR, which pleaded guilty to the charge last month. | |
The next hearing of the proceedings against NR will take place at St Albans Crown Court on 30 March, when a provisional date for sentencing should be set. |
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