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Network Rail to be prosecuted over Grayrigg crash | Network Rail to be prosecuted over Grayrigg crash |
(about 4 hours later) | |
Network Rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash at Grayrigg in which one passenger died. | Network Rail is to be prosecuted over the Cumbrian rail crash at Grayrigg in which one passenger died. |
The Office for Rail Regulation (ORR) said it had started criminal proceedings for a breach of health and safety law. | The Office for Rail Regulation (ORR) said it had started criminal proceedings for a breach of health and safety law. |
Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow, died after the Virgin train derailed on the West Coast Main Line in February 2007. | Margaret Masson, 84, from Glasgow, died after the Virgin train derailed on the West Coast Main Line in February 2007. |
In November, an inquest jury found poorly-maintained points were to blame for causing her death. | In November, an inquest jury found poorly-maintained points were to blame for causing her death. |
The train went over a "degraded" set of points at 92mph and careered down an embankment, leaving 88 people injured, including two members of the train crew. | The train went over a "degraded" set of points at 92mph and careered down an embankment, leaving 88 people injured, including two members of the train crew. |
Network Rail is facing a charge under section 3(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. | Network Rail is facing a charge under section 3(1) of the 1974 Health and Safety at Work Act. |
'Thorough investigation' | 'Thorough investigation' |
The ORR said: "This results from the company's failure to provide and implement suitable and sufficient standards, procedures, guidance, training, tools and resources for the inspection and maintenance of fixed stretcher bar points." | The ORR said: "This results from the company's failure to provide and implement suitable and sufficient standards, procedures, guidance, training, tools and resources for the inspection and maintenance of fixed stretcher bar points." |
The stretcher bars keep moving rails a set distance apart. | The stretcher bars keep moving rails a set distance apart. |
ORR railway safety director Ian Prosser said: "We have conducted a thorough investigation into whether criminal proceedings should be brought in relation to this derailment which caused the death of Mrs Masson and injured 86 people. | ORR railway safety director Ian Prosser said: "We have conducted a thorough investigation into whether criminal proceedings should be brought in relation to this derailment which caused the death of Mrs Masson and injured 86 people. |
"Following the coroner's inquest into the death of Mrs Masson, I have concluded that there is enough evidence, and that it is in the public interest, to bring criminal proceedings against NR for a serious breach of health and safety law which led to the train derailment." | "Following the coroner's inquest into the death of Mrs Masson, I have concluded that there is enough evidence, and that it is in the public interest, to bring criminal proceedings against NR for a serious breach of health and safety law which led to the train derailment." |
He said his thoughts were with Mrs Masson's family and it would try to ensure the prosecution proceeded as quickly as possible. | He said his thoughts were with Mrs Masson's family and it would try to ensure the prosecution proceeded as quickly as possible. |
Mr Prosser said: "The railway today is as safe as it has ever been but there can be no room for complacency. | |
"The entire rail industry must continue to strive for improvements to ensure that public safety is never put at risk." | "The entire rail industry must continue to strive for improvements to ensure that public safety is never put at risk." |
The first hearing is due to take place at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 24 February. | The first hearing is due to take place at Lancaster Magistrates' Court on 24 February. |
Network Rail managing director of network operations Robin Gisby said: "Network Rail has not hidden from its responsibilities - the company accepted quickly that it was a fault with the infrastructure that caused the accident. | Network Rail managing director of network operations Robin Gisby said: "Network Rail has not hidden from its responsibilities - the company accepted quickly that it was a fault with the infrastructure that caused the accident. |
'Substantial changes' | |
"We again apologise to Mrs Masson's family. | "We again apologise to Mrs Masson's family. |
"Since the derailment Network Rail has worked closely with the authorities, conducted comprehensive and detailed investigations and made substantial changes to its maintenance regime." | "Since the derailment Network Rail has worked closely with the authorities, conducted comprehensive and detailed investigations and made substantial changes to its maintenance regime." |
Soyab Patel, the solicitor representing Ms Masson's daughter Margaret Langley, said: "I am not surprised at this course of action taken by the Office for Rail Regulation. | Soyab Patel, the solicitor representing Ms Masson's daughter Margaret Langley, said: "I am not surprised at this course of action taken by the Office for Rail Regulation. |
"Indeed it would, having regard to the evidence that came out at the inquest, seem to me to be an appropriate and necessary consequence." | "Indeed it would, having regard to the evidence that came out at the inquest, seem to me to be an appropriate and necessary consequence." |
Craig Johnston, regional official of the Rail Maritime and Transport union (RMT) said: "I don't believe any lessons have been learned from Grayrigg because the ORR is calling for more cuts in jobs. | |
"We've also failed to get the public inquiry that we have been campaigning for." |